NEWCASTLE'S HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE REFURBISHMENT

The construction of girder runways to transport materials required during the refurbishment of the historic Newcastle High Level Bridge have been simplified by a bolt-on Lindapter clamp. The runways span the twin-level rail and road bridge, and are being used during the refurbishment of the lower road deck, a project being handled by May Gurney on behalf of the bridge's owners, Network Rail. The girders are allowing the materials required — structural steel, and a Greenheart timber covering — to be moved easily into position via a rolled wagon. Lindapter's Girder Clamp fixings were selected because they could be attached to original High Level Bridge beams without drilling or welding, protecting the Grade 1-listed historic structure built by Robert Stephenson. When it opened in 1849, the bridge became a key element of the UK's East coast main line, linking London with Edinburgh. Around 400 Lindapter Girder Clamps have been used, supporting two runway beams which span the entire length of the bridge underneath the rail level, plus a further three runways on the bridge's arched approaches. The Lindapter Girder Clamps attach by means of four bolts, and provide a high strength connection for a steel beam which can support loads of several tonnes. Commenting on the use of the clamps, May Gurney's Senior Site Agent, John Brown said: "Lindapter clamps offered the ideal solution for this element of the road refurbishment project, giving us a fixing which protects this iconic bridge, but which is also very easy to install — and remove when the project finishes in 2008." Lindapter has been producing advanced fixing products that offer cost-effective alternatives to traditional methods for more than 70 years. Key market sectors include structural engineering, civil engineering, building services, process plant/offshore, mechanical handling and transportation. Initially recognised as the manufacturer of the Lindapter malleable iron hook-bolt adapter, the company has diversified to cover all aspects of fixing to or suspending from structural steelwork. As well as cavity fixings, the Lindapter range includes steelwork fixings, support fixings, floor fixings and rail fixings. May Gurney is an integrated support and construction services company providing maintenance and enhancement services to the highways, rail, utilities and general infrastructure markets, primarily with public sector and regulated sector customers, across the UK. The company focuses on long term relationships, has 3,200 employees and delivers solutions through two primary business segments - Maintenance Services and Engineering & Project Services.

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