Location
Edinburgh city
Industry
Bridge Infrastructure
Client
Edinburgh City Council
Products
Ball Standard Handrails, GRP Grating Panels, other products
North Bridge Maintenance Access Upgrade
Kite Group supplied ball standard handrail systems, GRP grating panels and maintenance access products to improve safety and secure access beneath Edinburgh's historic North Bridge.
Project Details
North Bridge is one of Edinburgh's most important historic landmarks, linking the Old Town and New Town while carrying thousands of vehicles and pedestrians over Waverley Station every day. Originally completed in 1897, the Category A-listed structure has been undergoing one of the city's largest bridge refurbishment projects to preserve its historic fabric and ensure it remains safe for future generations.
As part of the refurbishment on behalf of The City of Edinburgh Council, permanent bridge maintenance access walkways were installed beneath the bridge to provide engineers with safe access for future inspections and maintenance. The project required durable, low-maintenance access products capable of performing within the bridge's complex steel structure while supporting safe working at height for decades to come.
Did You Know?
Bridge maintenance access walkways are designed to provide engineers with safe access for structural inspections, maintenance and repair work without affecting the operation of the bridge above. Reliable edge protection and safe walking surfaces are essential for reducing risk when working at height within complex bridge structures.
A typical maintenance walkway combines ball standard handrail systems, GRP grating panels, access ladders and self-closing gates to create a complete collective fall protection system. Together, these products provide secure access routes that help engineers work safely within complex bridge structures.
Kite Group Contribution
Kite Group worked closely with Global Iron & Steel Ltd and H.S. Carlsteel to support Balfour Beatty, the main contractor, in delivering the North Bridge maintenance access walkway refurbishment.
From the outset, the project required a responsive supply partner capable of meeting demanding programme deadlines while maintaining product availability.
Kite Group supplied a complete maintenance access solution, including:
Together, these products created a durable, low-maintenance maintenance access system designed to provide safe access beneath the bridge for many years to come. The ball standard handrail systems were selected for their strength, low maintenance requirements and long service life, while the GRP grating panels provide a lightweight, corrosion-resistant, low-maintenance and non-conductive walking surface, making them well suited to demanding bridge infrastructure environments.
As the installation progressed, additional materials were required at short notice. Kite Group responded quickly to secure and deliver the extra products without delaying the programme, helping the project team maintain progress and meet critical project timescales.
Project Gallery
