GBM - Testimonial - Bridge Demolition at Smithywood Colliery - VHE Holdings

Testimonial:

VHE Construction has had demolished a 43m long, 449 tonnes bridge spanning the A629 as part of the £3.6m reclamation of the former Smithywood Colliery near Sheffield.

The road was closed overnight to enable specialist subcontractors GBM Demolition Services to demolish the bridge during the 32-hour operation. The single span bridge consisted of four pre-cast pre-stressed concrete beams connected together by eight diaphragm beams, supporting the concrete deck.

Steel plates were placed over the A629, covered by 1m of hardcore to protect the carriageway and BT services. The demolition required careful planning and involved the local authorities and affected service providers.

Once the protection was in place, GBM used 4,360 machines to break up the bridge in-situ and remove the material to enable the road to reopen 18 hours in front of schedule.

GBM worked closely with VHE to complete the works at Cowley hill, this site was very high profile with a large private hosuing complex within 50m of the job, and the route was the main emergency route to the M1 Motorway.

The staff, from the directors to the man sweeping the road were very professional and willing and got the jopb completed safely and without incident.

VHE will consult with GBM in all future demolition works that we are involved in.

Neil Whitehead