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In the Mix - February 2025
Quality and innovative
engineering underpinned by a commitment to safety and sustainability
Hi
It is almost March already, welcome to our first newsletter of 2025! The past year was filled with growth, challenges, and achievements, and now, with fresh energy and a renewed focus, we have already started looking forward to a busy and successful year ahead.
As we move further into 2025, CRL will be turning 70! This achievement is a major milestone for the company and at CRL we are extremely proud of the solid foundations on which the company has been built and what we have achieved together with you, our clients.
Moving forward, we will be exhibiting at the upcoming Bridges Conference on 12th-13th March 2025 at the Coventry Building Society (CBS Arena)! Do come and visit us on stand D01 and find out how CRL can assist you with your bridge maintenance programmes. With over 60 exhibitors and more than 500+ attendees expected, it’s an event you won’t want to miss. Check out the link below to book your discounted tickets!
Maintaining our Infrastructure
A19 TEES VIADUCT
The A19 Tees Viaduct, also known as the Tees Flyover, is a high-level six-lane bridge spanning 1.9km in the Northeast of England. Opened in 1975, it carries the A19 across the River Tees, railway yards and other infrastructure.
The bridge features a steel and concrete composite superstructure supported by 67 concrete piers. Due to poor detailing, chloride-laden water has leaked through the joints over the years, causing deterioration of the piers.
In 1996, National Highways awarded a 30-year DBFO contract to Autolink, who collaborated with CRL and Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) to find a solution to repair the piers instead of demolishing and rebuilding them. The solution involved concrete repairs where necessary and the installation of an Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) system to prevent future corrosion of the reinforcing.
Work began in 2020 with CRL being asked to carry out a trial repair and install an ICCP system on 2 of the piers. The trial was successful and CRL was awarded Phase 1 which consisted of 8 piers. This was followed by Phase 2 - 16 piers and then Phase 3 - 10 piers which began in December 2022 and is expected to be completed in May 2025. The total project value will be circa £9.5 million.
BRIDGES UK 12 March 2025
ONLY TWO WEEKS TO GO!
CRL will be exhibiting on stand D01 at the Bridges Conference 2025 on the 12th March at the CBS Arena, Coventry.
This intensive event, which features a series of high-quality presentations from top-level engineers, bridge owners and specialists in the industry, also offers unparalleled networking opportunities with fellow professionals.
As a valued client of CRL, we would like to invite you to join us at the event at a special discounted rate. As our guest, you can use a promo code SPEX25 to gain access to the FULL event - including conference, exhibition, awards & round table - for the great price of £380+VAT
CRL looks forward to connecting with you, our industry partners, showcasing our capabilities, and discussing how we can help you maintain your highways assets.
Odds and Socks Day
Huntington’s Disease is a devastating genetic condition with a 50:50 chance of being inherited. It affects movement, cognition, and personality, often leading to agitation, depression, and frustration. While there is no cure, we can make a difference by raising awareness and funds for vital support services.
At CRL, this cause is close to our hearts. One of our valued colleagues has already endured the heartbreak of losing his wife to Huntington’s, and now his daughter, only in her 20s and a mother herself has been diagnosed. That’s why we’re proud to support the Huntington’s Disease Association’s Odds & Socks Day today on Thursday, 27th February 2025.
How can you get involved?
🧦 Wear your oddest socks to show support.
📸 Share your photos with us—the odder, the better!
💙 Donate via our JustGiving page:
Installing Anodes Helps Control Steel Corrosion in Reinforced Concrete Structures
Corrosion costs the UK economy an estimated 3–4% of GDP annually, highlighting the immense financial burden of structural deterioration.
With an increasing number of 20th-century steel-framed buildings and reinforced concrete structures being listed, preserving them against corrosion is crucial. Hybrid anodes, such as those installed at Preston bus station and Bamburgh Castle, offer a sustainable solution by halting corrosion and extending structural longevity. By understanding corrosion mechanisms—such as carbonation and chloride ion ingress—surveyors and engineers can implement effective preventative measures.
This article explores how advanced cathodic protection techniques, using galvanic/sacrificial anodes, are being applied to safeguard these structures from decay, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring their continued use.
REPAIRING THE PAST, PROTECTING THE FUTURE
CRL AT ITCHEN QUAYS
The Itchen Quays, also known as Berths 30–36, were originally constructed in 1939 to support dock cranes and freight trains along the quay. Over the years, they became essential for loading new vehicles onto ships for export. However, in 2023, an inspection by Ramboll revealed significant spalling to the concrete structure.
After the completion of a comprehensive condition survey and investigation of the quays by CRL Surveys, Associated British Ports (ABP) issued a tender for the works, and in May 2024 CRL was awarded the contract to carry out the concrete repairs to the underside of the berths.
The project presented numerous technical challenges, especially due to its location and the harsh environmental conditions.
CPD Technical Presentations
CRL have a wealth of expertise in asset management and the repair and rehabilitation of concrete structures and buildings. We would be happy to present one of our technical presentations either at your offices, or alternatively over Zoom, or Teams (or both!).
Our presentations range from basic concrete repairs to the cathodic protection of steel framed buildings. Whichever one you choose it is a great way to increase your knowledge on a particular subject, whilst at the same time accumulating those necessary CPD points!
Please click on the link below to see what CPD presentations we have on offer and to book the one most suited to you.
