Client
National Highways
Value
£3.5 M
Sectors & Services
Highway Structures Concrete Repair Corrosion Control Projects Projects
The M1 River Avon Bridge is a vital transport link on the UK’s first motorway connecting London to Leeds, carrying traffic safely over the River Avon. Built as part of the nation’s early motorway network, the structure plays a crucial role in facilitating regional connectivity and economic activity.
As part of a wider repair programme, CRL was commissioned to deliver a complex cathodic protection upgrade and structural maintenance. The works addressed the bridge’s ageing concrete and steel elements, ensuring continued operational safety and resilience. This project demonstrates CRL’s expertise in delivering technically challenging solutions that preserve critical infrastructure while minimising disruption to one of the country’s busiest motorway routes.
Services Undertaken
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Precision overhead drilling to 590 mm depth
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Installation of bespoke track-mounted drilling system
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Scaffold platform provision and secure anchoring
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Health and safety monitoring, including HAVS management
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Cover meter surveys and reinforcement location checks
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Structural inspections post-drilling
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Installation of cathodic protection system
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Concrete repair and reinstatement works
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Coordination with National Highways and delivery partners
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Operator training and technical oversight
CRL’s works on the M1 River Avon Bridge involved precision overhead drilling to depths of up to 590 mm, using high-torque 9 kg drills over a three-month period. The soffit areas required highly restricted access, demanding compact, powerful, and specialised equipment. To meet these challenges, UK Diamond Drilling Limited supplied a bespoke track-mounted drilling rig. This innovative system supported the full weight of the drill, allowing operators to engage it with minimal physical strain and reduced vibration exposure, mitigating risks such as musculoskeletal injuries and Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Operators were trained on the rig, which was securely anchored to scaffold platforms to maintain accuracy and safety.
Pre-drilling cover meter surveys identified the exact location of reinforcement, ensuring precise depth and preventing damage to structural steel. Post-drilling inspections confirmed compliance with design specifications, and structural engineers verified that both concrete and reinforcement integrity remained intact. All activities were carefully coordinated with National Highways and delivery partner VolkerLaser, ensuring adherence to quality standards, health and safety protocols, and programme deadlines. The project highlights CRL’s capability in delivering technically demanding structural repairs, combining innovation, specialist equipment, and rigorous safety management to support long-term asset performance.
"The River Avon Bridge project was one of our most technically challenging assignments, requiring precision, innovation, and meticulous planning. This project highlights CRL’s commitment to combining specialist engineering solutions with rigorous health and safety standards, demonstrating that even the most complex concrete and structural repairs can be completed to the highest quality."
Adrian Pike | Global Framework Director | CRL
To ensure long-term preservation, CRL incorporated measures to protect both concrete and steel elements of the bridge. The cathodic protection upgrade prevents ongoing corrosion of reinforcement, while robust surface preparation and high-performance repair mortars reinstated structural integrity.
By addressing both immediate defects and future deterioration risks, CRL extended the operational life of the bridge, reduced maintenance demands, and safeguarded the asset against environmental exposure. The project exemplifies CRL’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure management, combining technical expertise with forward-thinking solutions to deliver durable, high-quality repairs that protect critical transport assets for decades to come.
