Bridge Inspections

General, principal and specialist inspections of highway, rail and pedestrian bridges

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Service overview

Bridges are inspected because they matter. A defect missed on a bridge is a defect that carries live loads, protects public safety and sits at the centre of the transport network it serves. Highway authorities, rail operators, local authorities and asset owners all rely on regular structured inspection to identify deterioration early, prioritise intervention and evidence duty of care.

CRS delivers bridge inspections across the full range of UK bridge assets. Highway bridges under local authority and Highways England responsibility. Rail bridges under Network Rail and private rail infrastructure ownership. Pedestrian and footbridges on residential estates, industrial sites and public routes. Historic and listed structures where sensitive intervention is required. Utility and service bridges carrying pipework, cabling and combined highway or pedestrian traffic.

Inspections are delivered against the appropriate methodology for the asset and the client’s regime. General inspections for regular visual assessment of accessible elements. Principal inspections for detailed structural condition assessment including close visual inspection of every element. Special inspections triggered by a specific concern, damage event or change of use. Each is scoped, delivered and reported to the client’s procedural requirements.

Access is the single largest variable in bridge inspection cost and programme. CRS delivers bridge inspection using the right access method for each structure. IRATA Level 3 rope access for spans where suspended access is the most efficient method. Mobile elevating work platforms with under-bridge units where available. Confined space entry for internal box girder inspection. Traditional access where scaffold or platforms are already in place. Access method is agreed at scoping to minimise cost, disruption and possession time.

The output is a written inspection report in the client’s required format, with defect mapping, photographic evidence, severity ratings and recommendations for follow-on action. For highway assets, reports are produced in a format compatible with the client’s bridge management system. For rail assets, reports follow the infrastructure owner’s inspection reporting standard. Follow-on repair works can be delivered by CRS directly, or the inspection stands as an independent deliverable for competitive tender of the repair.

What this service covers

General Inspections

Regular visual inspection of accessible bridge elements to identify obvious defects, changes since previous inspection and any concerns requiring escalation. Delivered to the client’s scheduled inspection regime.

Principal Inspections

Detailed close visual inspection of every accessible element, with structured condition assessment, defect mapping and severity rating. Access provided to reach all elements including soffits, bearings, joints and hidden faces.

Special & Post-Event Inspections

Inspections triggered by a specific concern including impact damage, flood, fire, seismic event, change of use or specific defect discovery. Scoped to answer the specific question the client needs addressed.

Bearing & Joint Inspections

Detailed inspection of bridge bearings, expansion joints and articulation elements. Includes measurement of joint gaps, bearing condition, and identification of leakage or debris affecting function.

Underwater & Scour Assessment

Assessment of foundations, abutments and piers below the waterline where the scope requires it. Coordinated with specialist diving contractors where CRS is the lead inspector.

Testing & Investigation Integration

Non-destructive testing (GPR, ferroscan, half-cell potential) and controlled breakouts integrated into the inspection where the condition assessment requires it. Reduces the need for repeat mobilisation.

Why choose Concrete Repair Solutions?

Technical depth grounded in repair experience

Our bridge inspectors understand what repair looks like on site. We identify defects with reference to how they would be treated, not just against a defect classification. This produces inspection recommendations that are actionable rather than academic.

Whole life of the structure

CRS inspects, specifies, repairs and maintains. Where the client wants continuity, the same team returns for follow-on works and future inspection cycles. Where the client wants independent inspection to inform separately tendered repair, that is straightforward.

Accredited and approved

SafeContractor accredited, with a CSCS-carded workforce and SSSTS-qualified site supervision. IRATA Level 3 rope access operatives for suspended-access bridge inspection. Independent external HSQE consultancy oversight of health, safety, quality and environmental management on every project.

Track record

Bridge inspection and follow-on repair delivered across highway, rail, pedestrian and utility bridge assets throughout the UK. Live projects viewable in the Projects section.

Our process

1. Discuss & Scope

Initial conversation to understand the bridge type, the inspection regime, the client’s reporting format and any specific concerns triggering the inspection. Access method and possession requirements agreed at this stage.

2. Mobilise & Inspect

Site setup, access provision, traffic management or possession coordination where required, and structured inspection to the agreed methodology. Photographs, defect mapping and measurements recorded systematically.

3. Analyse & Report

Site findings compiled into a written inspection report in the client’s required format. Severity ratings applied, follow-on recommendations included, and integration with the client’s bridge management system supported where appropriate.

4. Handover & Next Steps

Report delivered with a walkthrough call where useful. Follow-on repair works or specialist investigations quoted separately if the client wants to progress them.

Recent projects

Related Surveys & Services

Frequently asked questions

A general inspection is a regular visual assessment of accessible bridge elements, typically at intervals of one to two years, focused on identifying obvious defects and changes since the previous inspection. A principal inspection is a detailed close visual assessment of every accessible element, typically at intervals of six to ten years, with structured condition rating and defect mapping. Principal inspections require access to all elements including soffits, bearings and hidden faces, which usually drives cost and programme.

It depends on the access method and the structure. Rope access from above the bridge often avoids the need for lane closures on the road below. Under-bridge platforms and MEWPs typically require lane closures or possession. Rail bridge inspection almost always requires a track possession coordinated with the infrastructure owner. We agree access method and any traffic or possession requirements at scoping so cost and programme are clear before mobilisation.

We deliver inspection reports in the client’s required format. For highway assets, this typically follows the client’s bridge management system requirements. For rail assets, the infrastructure owner’s inspection reporting standard applies. For pedestrian and private bridges, we deliver a structured written report with defect mapping, photographs, severity ratings and follow-on recommendations. Format is confirmed at scoping.

Yes. Where the inspection identifies areas where non-destructive testing (GPR, ferroscan, half-cell potential) or controlled breakouts would inform the condition assessment, we can integrate these into the same visit. This reduces the number of possessions and mobilisations required and delivers a more complete condition picture in a single deliverable. Testing scope is agreed with the client before mobilisation.

Yes. On inspection work involving significant site setup, traffic management or access provision, CRS can be appointed as Principal Contractor on schemes where required, with full CDM 2015 compliance. On inspections delivered under an existing Principal Contractor arrangement, we work as their specialist sub-contractor and provide the technical and safety documentation their role requires.

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