Project outline

The Tower Bridge redecking project included the replacement or refurbishment of the timber decking to the bridge and the replacement of expansion joints to the fixed spans. Temple were involved in the Environment, Consenting and Stakeholder services.

Throughout the works access for passing river traffic with 24 hours’ notice and pedestrians needed to be maintained.

The programme of work included:

• undertaking major maintenance to the bridge lifting mechanisms
• replacing the timber decking and resurfacing the road and walkways
• replacing expansion joints along the bridge to provide a smooth running surface
• waterproofing the brick arches that form the approach to the bridge

Our role

We were appointed as the Environment, Consenting and Stakeholder Lead. This involved working with the local planning authorities to explain the extent of the works and justification for the use of Permitted Development Rights and apply for a Certificate of Lawful Development to both London Boroughs (LB’s) of Southwark and Tower Hamlets. Early engagement work was conducted with Historic England, and we worked with TfL to develop collateral, fact sheets and advertisements to ensure stakeholders were aware of the upcoming road closures and appropriate diversion routes for road and cycle users. We provided our client with stakeholder and community engagement support prior to and during the works, which included several months engaging with local stakeholders and communities.
We also provided acoustic consultancy services, which included attended and unattended baseline noise monitoring, preparing S61 Consents (including trigger levels and mitigation) and construction monitoring for the duration of the works. Early engagement with each of the local authority Environmental Health Officers meant Temple were able to agree the duration of and locations for monitoring, ensuring a quick approval process. We were able to quickly identify the type and duration of activities being undertaken and inform the residents directly, ensuring there was no lost time due to noise complaints.

Our services

• Construction environmental management;
• Town planning and consents;
• Public consultation and stakeholder engagement;
• Early engagement work with Historic England and local communities, ensuring key constraints were identified; and
• Construction noise monitoring and S61 Consents

Our value

Temple were innovative in their approach to stakeholder engagement and used GIS analysis to identify and agree the letter drop zone and categorise more sensitive receptors closest to the work site. A Stakeholder Management Plan (SMP) was developed by Temple and BAM Nuttall to address the needs of stakeholders while allowing the works

In 2017 the project won a British Construction Industry Award for Civil Engineering Project of the Year (up to £10m). It was also featured in the New Civil Engineer magazine.