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Emergency Repair Works on the Bridge of Cally
After severe storms at the end of 2023 caused significant structural damage, our team was called out to the historic Bridge of Cally to undertake emergency repairs. The storm had caused a partial collapse of the parapet, leaving the bridge unsafe and posing a substantial risk to its stability.
Given our strong working relationship with Perth & Kinross Council (PKC), M.A.M Contracting was called out during the Christmas break to address the situation. Acting swiftly, we undertook emergency works to stabilise the bridge, ensuring immediate safety and enabling a long-term repair plan to restore the structure to its former beauty.
Primary Objectives
Our objectives for the Bridge of Cally project were two-fold. First, we had to mitigate the immediate risk of further collapse and ensure the safety of the bridge for public use. We then had to implement a long-term plan to fully repair and protect the structure for the future. Our key objectives were:
- Preventing further collapse through temporary safety measures.
- Designing and implementing temporary works to facilitate safe repairs.
- Stripping down and rebuilding the damaged parapet.
- Installing improved drainage solutions to protect the bridge against future storms.
Challenges Faced
Due to the urgency of the works and the bridge’s status as a key trunk route, our team faced a number of challenges throughout the project. The storm occurred during the Christmas period and required immediate action, which meant overcoming limited resources and short-term notice for personnel. The bridge is also a historical structure which meant we needed to collaborate with Historic Scotland and other consultants to ensure all works adhered to the strict preservation standards.
Playing a key role as a trunk route, the bridge also needed to be kept open and operational throughout the repair works, while keeping our team and other road users safe. This was made more challenging as ongoing poor weather meant we needed to protect the damaged area from further deterioration.
How M.A.M Contracting Completed the Works
Our M.A.M Contracting team utilised their years of experience to respond rapidly in an emergency situation, and we were able to execute the repairs efficiently.
Immediate Stabilisation
Our team worked over the Christmas break to secure the remaining parapet structure, ensuring minimal risk of further collapse and making the area safe for the public.
Temporary Water Management
Temporary drainage solutions were installed to divert water away from the damaged area, preventing further structural harm.
Safe Working Conditions
Bespoke access scaffolding was designed and installed to support the remaining parapet and provide safe, practical access for repair works. Additional protective scaffolding solutions ensured the safety of the workforce while maintaining traffic flow.
Parapet Restoration
The damaged parapet was carefully stripped down and rebuilt to match its original structure, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering techniques to preserve the bridge’s character.
Future-Proof Drainage
Finally, permanent drainage features were installed to safeguard against future water-related damage.
The Benefits
The successful emergency repair of the Bridge of Cally not only highlighted our team’s expertise but also provided the local community with a number of benefits. Our rapid response and emergency works meant we could keep the bridge open while ensuring public safety and preventing any further deterioration of the bridge. By working closely with Historic Scotland, we were also able to preserve the original charm and character of the structure.
We also implemented permanent drainage solutions and improved protection measures to help significantly reduce the risk of further damage occurring in future storms.
Despite the challenges of working during the holiday period, our team were able to deliver a robust solution that will stand the test of time!