Joining forces with Dyer & Butler, Network Rail has confirmed the vital renewal of timber beams at ‘The Sandwich Bridge’ are now finished.

A routine inspection of ‘The Sandwich Bridge’ over the River Wandle, Wandsworth Town, found eight of the softwood timber beams required renewal, with a speed limit imposed across the bridge before the repairs were completed.

The new beams are hardwood and should have a longer life span than the previous softwood ones. To make future maintenance and repairs easier, a new low-level GRP walkway has been installed for workers.

Network Rail Wessex’s Works Delivery Route Programme Director Chris Cornish said: “This is another great example of Network Rail and its contractors working to deliver a project that will benefit passengers. Now the work is complete, we are able to remove an existing speed restriction which means a more reliable train service.”

Dyer & Butler Operations Manager Jeff Taylor said: “This was a truly collaborative project that required detailed decision making in relation to the bridge’s unusual structure. During these unprecedented and challenging times, the project team worked under strict social distancing conditions to deliver safe and efficient works incident free, within the agreed time scales and with all key milestones met.”

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