A contract to support health and safety on the iconic Tyne Bridge, which is currently undergoing significant restoration, was undertaken by a growing County Durham environmental services specialist.
Peterlee-based, Asbestos Audit, was one of the first suppliers called upon by main contractor Esh Construction, to ensure regulatory compliance for the bridge’s two towers, prior to major maintenance and upgrade work taking place.
Building surveys and compliance testing were carried out by a four-strong team who, along with ecologists and other environmentalists, were some of the first suppliers on the project.
The Tyne Bridge restoration is funded by the UK Government, as well as monies from both Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council.
Ben Pickard, managing director of Asbestos Audit, said: “It was a privilege to play our small part in the restoration of the iconic Tyne Bridge, which is recognised and loved the world over. Our team did some essential compliance work to allow the works to move forward.”
“Congratulations to Esh Construction on winning the contract and it is both reassuring and wholly appropriate that the contractor, which has its origins firmly rooted in the North East, was chosen to deliver a project that will ensure the future of the Tyne Bridge.”
Stephen McClean, Esh’s construction manager, said: “A complex programme of investigation work had to be carried out ahead of work getting started on the restoration of the Tyne Bridge. Asbestos Audit played an important role in the early stages, providing a comprehensive survey and report to ensure any health and safety risks could be managed throughout the further inspections and wider project.”
900 repairs need to be carried out to preserve the landmark for future generations, this involves steel, concrete, stonework and masonry repairs, drainage improvements, bridge deck waterproofing, resurfacing, parapet protection and bridge joint replacement.
Scaffolding, wrapped with a protective sheeting to protect the public, has been installed to allow repairs and surface blasting to be undertaken before the bridge can be painted.
To deliver the repairs and strengthening safely, scaffold is installed over approximately 20 phases to maintain the integrity of the structure’s load capacity, while keeping the road and footpaths open to traffic and pedestrians throughout the project. These loading constraints result in the programme to complete the restoration being across four years.
Over the past year, Asbestos Audit has witnessed a huge surge in project engagement, scaling up from 5,000 to 25,000 projects. Furthermore, the company has achieved recognition, on a national scale, by securing significant frameworks with clients such as SITEC, Landmarc MOD, Esh Construction and SCCI Alphatrack.
With operations spanning 13 locations across the UK, the company expanded its workforce from 19 to 60 staff in 2023 and ongoing hiring initiatives are underway to support the expansion of its specialist environmental, demolition and training services.
The company has relocated its headquarters from Sunderland to Peterlee alongside an operational base in County Durham for its growing services and its consultancy has expanded its offering with a new in-house laboratory and air monitoring division.