Project
Scott’s Bridge, a pedestrian footbridge across Melville Street, posed a barrier to development within the former City Square Centre site on the western side.
On the eastern side are two blocks of housing association flats. The aim was to remove the bridge while causing as little disruption as possible for residents and businesses in the vicinity. With this in mind, the works were planned to take place over a full weekend.
Approach
In the 18 months of preparation ahead of its removal, keeping communication between all parties involved in and affected by the bridge’s removal was crucial to the success of the project.
The starting points were with the City Council and the various planning applications and consents. A ‘stopping up order’ - a legal mechanism to close the bridge and end the public’s right of access - had to be obtained and enacted.
The case for road closures and associated diversions had to be made and agreed with all affected parties. This resulted in Highway Traffic Management and bus operators being notified, alongside subsequent reinstatement works once the removal was completed.
Negotiations with the owner of the flats, housing association Amplius, began almost immediately too, with pre- and post-condition surveys of properties assured and carried out.
For the weekend of the works, it was agreed that affected tenants would be relocated to hotels, so finding accommodation and planning the temporary relocation with Amplius for its tenants was undertaken.
As the temporary access for both pedestrians and vehicles across Melville Street while preparatory work to remove the bridge, the removal itself and the period post-removal works programme was conducted, there was liaison with Siemens over whose land part of the temporary access was to be situated.
Results
Scott’s Bridge was closed on 5 May to allow for preparation works with the demolition and removal taking place, as scheduled, beginning at 7pm on Friday 16 May and finishing on time at 6am on Monday 19 May.
All parties involved agreed that the operation and wider project was a complete success.
