Dyer & Butler undertakes bridge demolition project at Heathrow Airport

Dyer & Butler has successfully undertaken the removal of a life-expired pedestrian footbridge at Heathrow Airport.

Working closely with the client, Heathrow Airport Limited, Dyer & Butler and its supply chain partners removed the bridge, eliminating the possibility of it becoming a future safety risk. The project was delivered to a strict time frame removing the need for long closures to the busy roads surrounding the airport.

The works took five days to complete, with the team working overnight to remove the main bridge elements within a three-hour timeframe.

Within the three-hour window, Dyer & Butler removed the upper stairways and the bridge mainspan. Dyer & Butler utilised its streamlined lifting operation, so that the bridge removal could be completed in two sections.

Using the dual crane method, both sections of the bridge were removed without the need for equipment to be transferred to the other side. The team removed the bridge efficiently within the timeframe, while ensuring the safety of everyone on site.

The entire operation from planning to delivery took 10 weeks, with Dyer & Butler working collaboratively throughout the planning process with Heathrow Airport and its stakeholders.

Speaking on the project, James Harrison, Project Manager at Dyer & Butler, said: “While this wasn’t the most complex of lifting operations that I’ve been part of – to get this project over the line in 10wks is no mean feat, particularly given we had to procure a specialist subcontractor for the works, as well as work through Heathrow’s many processes/approvals.

“The works were delivered exactly as planned; in fact, we were able to remove most of the bridge on the first night of lifting! The various teams worked incredibly well together and to get this job out of the way was very pleasing. A special thanks to my team and all else involved in getting this bridge demolished.”

Jose Fernandez, Civils Delivery Manager at Heathrow Airport, said: “ I’d like to say a big thank you to all that have been involved in the Hatton Cross Pedestrian Bridge demolition. I know it has been very challenging due to the time constrains, but it has been a huge success and it demonstrates the importance of working all together.”