UltraCrete helps improve world-famous Tower Bridge

Trusted manufacturers of ductile access covers, Eccles, and infrastructure services partner, FM Conway, have used UltraCrete Instagrip, anti-skid patch repair, to install 660 bespoke ductile iron covers at the world-famous Tower Bridge in London.

Background

Spanning the River Thames, Tower Bridge is one of London’s most iconic landmarks. With over 40,000 people walking across the famous Tower Bridge every day, this busy crossing demands regular and ongoing maintenance.

Originally installed in the 1970s, the original cast iron access covers had become worn and so, as part of ongoing maintenance plans, an alternative solution was sourced by the City of London Engineering Department.

The Challenge

The existing access covers weighed over 200kg each making them extremely difficult to lift and to carry out maintenance. What’s more, the new and improved access covers needed to be kept within the same size parameters meaning a tailored solution was the only way forward.

The Solution

The City of London Engineers approached Eccles engineering division to design a bespoke ductile iron access cover that would be strong, lightweight and simple to install.

As an alternative to a heavy, concrete and asphalt infill, the new covers were designed with a shallow recess in the top which would then be filled with Instagrip anti-skid material.

Instagrip is ideal for the patching and reinstating of high friction areas after maintenance work has taken place. This anti-skid patch repair is ideal for use on pedestrian crossings, junctions, roundabouts, footbridges, subways, steel plates and manhole covers.

What’s more, Instagrip has a set time of just 1-2 hours, is available in five colours and boasts a fast return to service – the perfect properties for quick, effective and permanent repairs.

Results

A total of 660 new ductile iron access covers have now been installed on Tower Bridge by principal contractor, FM Conway. The first stage of the project took place in November 2023, with the second phase beginning in January 2024, and the whole scheme completed in February.

On the project so far, Chris Rothery, Sales & Project Director at Eccles (UK Foundries FE) Ltd, commented: “The whole project has run like clockwork. With a neat anti-slip surface finish and a galvanised edge, the covers look great in-situ, creating a safe and pleasing aesthetic solution for this iconic structure.”

To find out more about UltraCrete and their market-leading range of highway maintenance materials, please visit ultracrete.co.uk. Alternatively, you can contact their team of highway experts by emailing ultracrete@instarmac.co.uk or calling 01827 254402.