North Bridge Refurbishment, Edinburgh

We’re refurbishing one of Scotland’s most iconic structures to secure it for generations to come

The 525-foot long, Grade A-listed North Bridge was originally constructed in the late 1800’s. After many years of heavy use, exposure to the elements and limited maintenance due to poor access, the iconic structure needs to be refurbished.

Due to the growing risk to both pedestrians and the railway that passes beneath the bridge, The City of Edinburgh Council commissioned Balfour Beatty to carry-out the refurbishment of the historic three-arch bridge via the SCAPE Scotland Civil Engineering framework.

Works include:

  • Structural steelwork repairs
  • Grit blasting and repainting of the structural steelwork
  • Repairs to the cast iron façades
  • Repairs to the bridge’s concrete deck including a partial deck replacement
  • Improvements to the structural drainage systems
  • Replacement of expansion joints
  • Restoration and repairs to the King’s Own Scottish Borders War Memorial which is located on the east plinth of the bridge’s south pier
  • Installation of permanent platforms to improve access for future inspection and minor maintenance.
£37

million social value spend

82%

local labour spend

61 %

SME spend within 20 miles radius

Once completed, the works will extend the lifespan of the bridge and remove the need for further maintenance work for years to come.

Managing complex logistics

The bridge sits above Waverley railway station and railway lines and provides a vital connection for both vehicles and pedestrians between the old and new towns, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

The logistics of maintaining access to the bridge has required careful consideration, collaboration and management. Utilising a suite of digital tools has helped us to mitigate and manage risk and minimise disruption to ensure successful project delivery. Using BIM, we created a BIM Execution Plan to help inform buildability decisions and clash detection. 3D laser scanning and drones helped us to model the bridge to support the council with planning and future maintenance on the bridge.

A further challenge was the installation of the complex scaffolding that was required to enable our teams to gain entry to areas of the bridge that have not been accessed in this extensive manner for 125 years. Traditional scaffolding relies on ground support, but due to the interface with the railway station and the low capacity of the roof, we had to suspend the scaffolding from the bridge itself. This required multiple stages of design and checks. Although the access was challenging, it enabled thorough inspections which revealed the need for more extensive repairs than initially anticipated.

Cast repairs and carbon footprint savings 

To reduce the project’s carbon footprint, our teams have focused on cutting construction waste and carbon emissions, particularly in energy-intensive tasks, such as the production of steel and concrete. By repairing cast iron components instead of replacing them, the Comparison Life Cycle Assessment we carried out alongside our specialist supply chain partners, showed an 89% carbon footprint reduction.

By retaining 30% of the existing cast iron on the bridge and repairing 63% of the components, we were able to further lower embodied carbon. Additionally, we improved the façade to allow for movement and reduce stress-induced defects, reusing original materials to preserve decorative features. Through complex assessments we were able to utilise as much of the existing bridge fabric as possible.

Community engagement initiatives

To ensure we leave a positive legacy beyond the life of the project, our social impact team has developed a bespoke social impact plan focused on engagement with local schools and higher learning facilities, charities and volunteer groups. To date the team have:

  • Engaged with approximately 1,400 people in a variety of educational activities aimed at inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in the construction industry. 
  • Facilitated a site visit for 75 children and partnered with Edinburgh schools and the Superpower Agency in an eight-week writing workshop. This initiative produced books inspired by the history and refurbishment of the iconic North Bridge, enhancing students research, writing, and interpersonal skills.
  • Collaborated with the Ukrainian Construction Academy and EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council) to provide work experience for 3 Ukrainians. This included specialised training to facilitate employment in the construction sector.
  • Raised £3,500 by participating in the Edinburgh Kilomathon, raising money for the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, which supports the emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing of construction workers and their families.