Client: Herefordshire Council
Date: 2025
Contract Value: Undisclosed
Our team was appointed to deliver essential strengthening works to Old Furnace Bridge, which carries the C1232 road over the Garren Brook in the parish of St Weonards. The original single-span masonry arch bridge required significant structural enhancement to meet modern loading standards and ensure its continued safe use by local traffic.
The works involved carefully removing the existing road surfacing and fill material above the arch barrel, casting an in-situ reinforced concrete saddle over the existing masonry, applying a waterproofing system, and reinstating the carriageway to its original levels.
Old Furnace Bridge Strengthening
Following a detailed structural assessment in 2024, it was identified that the bridge did not meet the 40-tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) capacity required for current highway demands. To preserve this historic structure while improving its strength and durability, our engineers implemented a full reinforced concrete saddle solution. All operations were carried out under a full road closure, ensuring a safe and efficient working environment throughout the six-week construction period.
