Forth Bridge update
Network Rail
Dave Boyce – Head of Communications
Kenny McAlpine – Regional Asset Manager (Structures)
Mark Wilson – Programme Manager
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Recent Safety Incident
On 18 January 2026, whilst carrying out steel repairs to a wind fence post in Span 14 (on East side of bridge) a quantity of unknown material escaped the fire blanket containment and landed on the road below the work site.
The incident was correctly reported through the Network Rail Helpdesk and both NR and Balfour Beatty staff attended location of incident within half an hour during the same shift.
Principal Contractor submitted an initial report to Network Rail within 24 hours of being made aware of the incident and are currently working on a Level 1 final report. The timescale for submitting the Level 1 Report is 28 days from the date of the incident.
Network Rail self-declared the incident to the Office of Rail & Road (ORR), the independent safety and economic regulator for Britain’s Railway.
Balfour Beatty postponed all ‘hot works’ until physical trials could be carried out to adequately prevent any potential reoccurrence and identify appropriate mitigation measures.
An investigation is currently underway; however, mitigation measures have already been implemented from learning taken following the incident.
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Water Management / Bitumen Removal works
Background
Network Rail is undertaking refurbishment and maintenance works, including water management on the North Approach of the Forth Bridge. Prior to any such works, UK asbestos legislation requires that the presence and condition of asbestos-containing materials are properly identified and appropriately managed. Rhodar Industrial Services is a licensed asbestos removal contractor appointed to carry out limited, controlled removal works, in full compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Between May and October 2025 several samples from each span of the north approach viaduct have been taken by specialist suppliers Rhodar and additionally by WSP. Findings indicated Low level 2%-10% chrysolite asbestos contained within the bitumen coating on the steel deck plates at track level. The project has notified these works to HSE prior to commencement.
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Survey Information
An intrusive asbestos refurbishment survey was undertaken by WSP UK Ltd in November 2025, covering Spans 11 to 15 of the North Approach. The survey identified sporadic asbestos-containing bituminous material in isolated areas associated with the track. No high-risk or medium-risk asbestos materials were identified within the surveyed areas. The asbestos identified is limited in extent and present only in specific, localised locations. Removal is required only where planned refurbishment works could disturb this material. No other asbestos materials of concern were identified.
Scope of Works
The scope involves the removal of limited quantities of bituminous material from defined areas only. The material is bonded within the bitumen and is not friable, meaning it does not readily release fibres. The quantities involved are small, localised and manageable. All works are undertaken within a clearly defined controlled work area, with access restricted to trained personnel only.
Removal Method
Due to the nature of the material, removal is carried out using controlled mechanical means. Specialist low-energy mechanical descaling equipment is used to carefully break and remove the material from the steelwork. This method allows the material to be removed in a controlled and predictable manner without burning, grinding or aggressive disturbance. Equipment is operated at low energy input and in short durations to reduce the potential for fibre release. The material is kept damped during removal and debris is managed as it is generated.
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Control Measures and Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
A number of control measures are applied simultaneously to prevent the release of asbestos fibres, as required by Regulation 11 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. One of the primary controls is the use of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV). This involves specialist asbestos-rated vacuum units positioned directly next to where the material is being removed. As the mechanical equipment is used, any dust or fibres generated are immediately captured at source and filtered before air is released. LEV is used continuously during removal and is supported by fibre suppression techniques, to limit uncontrolled disturbance, controlled waste handling arrangements, and continuous supervision by experienced asbestos personnel.
Asbestos Control Limit
UK asbestos legislation sets a control limit for asbestos fibre exposure of 0.1 fibres per millilitre of air, measured over a four-hour period. This control limit is a legal benchmark used to assess whether exposure is being effectively controlled; it is not a target level and should not be approached during properly managed works. Licensed asbestos removal contractors are required not only to remain below this control limit, but to reduce exposure to asbestos as far as is reasonably practicable. This means that all suitable control measures must be applied at all times, regardless of how low measured fibre levels may already be. The control measures in place for these works have been selected to minimise fibre release well below the control limit and to maintain exposure at the lowest level reasonably achievable.
Independent Air Testing
To confirm that the control measures are effective, air monitoring is carried out by an independent UKAS-accredited laboratory SOCOTEC in accordance with HSE guidance. This monitoring includes personal air monitoring, which measures the level of asbestos fibres operatives are exposed to during the work, and leak and reassurance testing, which confirms that fibres are not escaping beyond the controlled work area. Multiple personal air monitoring samples and leak tests have been undertaken during the works. Personal monitoring results have consistently been very low, typically in the range of 0.02 to 0.04 fibres per millilitre, with an average exposure of approximately 0.03 fibres per millilitre. This is more than three times lower than the legal control limit of 0.1 fibres per millilitre. Leak and reassurance testing has shown no loss of control, with results either below laboratory detection limits or at very low levels, demonstrating that asbestos fibres are not spreading outside the controlled area.
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Nightly Cleaning, Inspection and Confirmation of Removal
On completion of works each night, the working area is subject to a localised fine clean using H-Type asbestos vacuums. All accessible surfaces within the work area, including surrounding steelwork and immediate transit routes, are cleaned to ensure no residual material remains.
Once cleaning is complete, the area is visually inspected by both the Site Supervisor and the Site Manager. This inspection confirms that the material scheduled for removal during that shift has been removed, that no visible residual paint or debris remains within the working area, and that the area is left in a safe and controlled condition prior to handback. The outcome of this inspection is recorded within the site diary and shift records.
Duty of the Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor
In addition to meeting numerical exposure limits, asbestos legislation places a clear duty on the licensed asbestos removal contractor to reduce exposure to asbestos as far as is reasonably practicable.
The removal method selected, use of LEV, defined work areas, nightly cleaning and inspection, and independent air monitoring all form part of meeting this duty and ensuring exposure remains at the lowest level reasonably achievable.
Conclusion
The works currently being undertaken involve the controlled removal of sporadic asbestos-containing bituminous material in limited quantities.
The work is being carried out using appropriate mechanical methods, supported by effective engineering controls, regular cleaning and inspection, and independent verification.
The survey findings, restricted scope of works, control measures in place and air monitoring results provide assurance that the works are being carried out safely and in full compliance with UK asbestos legislation.
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Bitumen Removal Works
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Works to the inner face of the wind fence (East and West) on the North Approach
Preparation and coatings of the steel lattice and wind fence posts.
Preparation and coatings to the timber capping and identified steel repairs.
The wind fence is broken down into three main sections - the wind fence posts, the diagonal lattice bracing that span between the wind fence posts, and the timber capping.
Typical defects; holes, thinning, loss of section to edges and detached or missing lattice bracing.
The capping will have small sections of rotten timber, missing timber and failure of the bolts fixing the timber capping to the top of the wind fence.
Typical repairs; replace the lattice bracing with a like for like replacement which would be a welded or bolted connection. Filling of holes with metal putty, welding over plates to wind fence posts, replacing rotten or missing timbers and replace capping bolts.
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Additional Notes
to minimise noise and disturbance however we do appreciate these works are disruptive
suspect this is introducing a ‘new’ previously unknown noise during the works
fire spotters below each ‘hot works’ workface to identify any escaping or falling material
and wind mitigation measures to prevent sparks or material escaping the workface
around the workfaces to try and improve noise mitigation
to halt works if any pedestrians or cars travel under the structure during live works
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Welding Works to Wind Fence Post
Wind Fence Steel Repairs
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Wind Fence Containment
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BITUMEN REMOVAL, WIND FENCE REPAIRS AND STEEL REPAIRS
Works are programmed to take place Saturday-Thursday nights. All works are weather dependent.
Planned Dates
Span 11
Bitumen removal January-March 2026. Coatings preparation and application March-May 2026.
Wind fence preparation, steel repairs, and coatings January-June 2026.
Span 12
Bitumen removal April-July 2026. Coatings preparation and application June-August 2026.
Wind fence preparation, steel repairs, and coatings May-November 2026.
Span 13
Bitumen removal July-October 2026. Coatings preparation and application September-December 2026.
Wind fence preparation, steel repairs, and coatings November 2026-May 2027.
Span 14
Bitumen removal November 2026-February 2027. Coatings preparation and application January-April 2027.
Wind fence preparation, steel repairs, and coatings July 2025-February 2026.
Span 15
Troughing repairs Feb – March 2026. Wind fence preparation, steel repairs, and coatings March-September 2026.
Bitumen removal March-June 2027. Coatings preparation and application May-August 2027.
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If you have any queries relating to the ongoing works, please feel free to contact us.
You can reach our 24-hour dedicated National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41,
or visit our website at https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/contact-us.
CONTACT US
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