Conwy (Telford) Suspension Bridge

Roy Hankinson Limited was employed as the Principal Contractor by the National Trust for Wales to carry out the abrasive blasting repairs and coating of Thomas Telford's Conwy Suspension Bridge. Although the contract was secured under competitive tender, Roy Hankinson Limited was heavily involved in the development of the contract specification with the Contract Administrator. The advice of Roy Hankinson Limited was sought due to the successful completion of the Menai Bridge re-painting contract in 2005. Although the Conwy (Telford) Suspension Bridge was on a smaller scale to the Menai Bridge, the advice of Roy Hankinson Limited was sought with regards to the phasing of the works (design, size and layout of scaffold enclosures) and also the methods for surface preparation and coating application. 

Scope of Works 

1. Traffic & pedestrian management – it was necessary to control vehicle and pedestrian movements on site through the course of the contract. This was essential as the structure was open to the public for the first 8 weeks of the 20-week contract.
2. Erection & encapsulation of scaffold enclosures to permit abrasive blasting and coating of steelwork to take place. Phasing of erection/dismantling was critical to ensure the structure was not overloaded.
3. Total removal of existing paint system by slurry blasting/mechanical preparation to all accessible areas of bridge steelwork (approximately 3,500m²).
4. Application of a 4-coat high build epoxy maintenance coating which is designed to give a 15-year life to the next major maintenance.
5. Refurbishment and upgrade of existing bridge lighting units and equipment.