First FRP Thames bridge for Environment Agency 01 April 2015

The Environment Agency (EA) has awarded ECS Engineering Services a contract to design, build and install a new bridge in Mapledurham, near Reading, using fibre reinforced polymer (FRP).

As the exclusive UK agent for FiberCore Europe, ECS will be using that comapny's proprietaryFRP technology to construct a strong, lightweight and durable structure.

Jamie Wesley, commercial manager for ECS's water control division, explains that the new bridge will improve access routes to the Mapledurham weir and lock complex, which will be part of a much larger refurbishment project taking place across several sites on the Thames.

"Using the FRP technology has several advantages," he explains. "In the short term, it will reduce build and installation times, while in the long term it will almost eliminate any maintenance requirements for the lifetime of the bridge – which is expected to be in excess of 100 years."

Wesley explains that the bridge location cannot be accessed by a large articulated truck so ECS's proposal involves loading the new structure onto floating pontoons and transporting it to the site by river.

Brian Tinham

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