Rail Bridge AGB3, Luffness, East Lothian
Case reference EIR2024/01573
Received 18 November 2024
Published 24 December 2024
Request
I am writing in relation to the ongoing repairs to this bridge which you closed at the end of February 2024.
Specifically , I would request the following details:
1. Details of each inspection of this bridge since 1 January 2019 and by whom .
2. The nature of the repair works identified to be carried out before and during the works , including any structural issues identified and safety assessments.
3. The timeframe during which the repair works should have taken place (start and completion dates) and the timeframe now envisaged to completion.
4. Each estimate of the cost of the repair works from the outset as that has been updated to date.
5. Details of any contractors, consultants or companies involved in carrying out the repairs, whether any changes have been made and, if so, why.
Response
The full extent of the corrosion to hidden elements (buried above the bridge abutments) was such that they cannot be repaired to provide a long-term solution that delivers the loading capacity for the bridge. We have therefore decided to replace the bridge deck rather than repair it as we originally intended.
The eight documents listed below can be downloaded from this link EIR2024 01573.
Personal information has been withheld under Regulation 13 of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
1. Details of each inspection of this bridge since 1 January 2019 and by whom.
Please see these four reports:
-
May 2019 - Visual examination, Balfour Beatty Rail
agb_3_vexam_20190501_36_Redacted.
-
November 2022 - Visual examination, Balfour Beatty Rail
agb_3_vexam_20221116_36_Redacted
-
March 2021 - Visual examination, Balfour Beatty Rail
agb_3_vexam_20210319_36_Redacted
-
April 2020 - Visual examination, Balfour Beatty Rail
agb_3_vexam_20200424_36_Redacted
The following activities by Jacobs UK Limited were translated into the existing condition drawing B38380DE-FK-0001 Rev. 04.
February 2021 - Ecology survey, Jacobs UK Limited
October 2021 - Ecology survey, Jacobs UK Limited
November 2022 - Structural survey to identify repairs, Jacobs UK Limited
January 2023 - Ecology survey, Jacobs UK Limited
October 2023 - Ecology survey/exclusions ahead of works, Jacobs UK Limited
2. The nature of the repair works identified to be carried out before ….. the works, including any structural issues identified and safety assessments.
The nature of the repair works identified to be carried out before the works including the structural issues identified, are included in these four drawings:
· B38380DE-FK-0001 Rev. 04
· B38380DE-FK-0001a Rev. 02
· B38380DE-FK-0002 Rev. 04
· B38380DE-FK-0002a Rev. 02
By 'safety assessments' we believe you mean assessment reports. These are published on our website Programme of work and assessment reports webpage.
3. The timeframe during which the repair works should have taken place (start and completion dates) and the timeframe now envisaged to completion.
The original contract for the identified repairs prior to the grit blasting and exposing hidden elements was due to start on 26 February 2024 and complete by 3 April 2024.
The timeframe to replace the bridge deck is under review. We are working on a revised plan, aiming to reopen the bridge as soon as possible, with planning approval for the new steel deck expected in early 2025. Updates will be published on our website in due course.
4. Each estimate of the cost of the repair works from the outset
£138,427.
5. Details of any contractors, consultants or companies involved in carrying out the repairs , whether any changes have been made and, if so, why.
Jacobs UK Limited and Balfour Beatty UK Construction Services - Scotland. No changes have been made.
Information not held
4...the cost of the repair works …. as that has been updated to date.
I can confirm that National Highways does not hold this information, and as such this part of your request has been refused under Regulation 12(4)(a) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 as information not held.
Documents
- 807. TTRO - U138 Luffness.pdf (212.0 KB)
- AGB_3_document.docx (15.7 KB)
- agb_3_vexam_20190501_Redacted.pdf (4.6 MB)
- agb_3_vexam_20200424_Redacted.pdf (3.5 MB)
- agb_3_vexam_20210319_Redacted.pdf (6.0 MB)
- agb_3_vexam_20221116_Redacted.pdf (3.6 MB)
- B38380DE-FK-0001 Rev. 04_Redacted.pdf (212.5 KB)
- B38380DE-FK-0001a Rev. 02_Redacted.pdf (351.3 KB)
- B38380DE-FK-0002 Rev. 04_Redacted.pdf (1.5 MB)
- B38380DE-FK-0002a Rev. 02_Redacted.pdf (1.2 MB)
- EIR2024 01573 - Public Interest Test.pdf (66.0 KB)
- Historical Railways Estate 18.11.24.pdf (429.8 KB)
This is National Highways' response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
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