Case study · Principal inspection

Gateshead Millennium Bridge

Client: Waterman Infrastructure & Environmental
Location: Gateshead / Newcastle upon Tyne
Services: Rope access, confined space entry, RIB boat support

A full tactile inspection of one of the UK's most complicated footbridges, delivered early.

The challenge

The Millennium Bridge is in constant public use, tilts to let river traffic pass, and requires a mix of access methods just to reach every part of it. A full principal inspection meant covering the topside, deck soffit, cables, arch exterior and arch interior, using rope access, confined space entry and a RIB boat on the Tyne, all on the same job.

The approach

Brought in against a tight deadline, our team delivered the complete principal inspection across every one of those access methods, working around the bridge's tilt cycles, river traffic and public footfall throughout. Every element specified in the brief was accessed and inspected in full.

Technician climbing a bridge cable above the River Tyne, with the Tyne Bridge behind

Technician on a cable high above the bridge deck, against a blue sky and the Baltic Centre

Technician working beneath the bridge deck over the river

The result

It's the kind of structure most contractors would shy away from, or bring in several separate specialist teams to inspect properly.

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