An assessment by HSE of the structural integrity of the Forth Rail Bridge

"In April 1995 following discussions between the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Mr Norris, Minister for Local Transport and Road Safety, HSE agreed to undertake an assessment of the structural integrity of the Forth Railway Bridge.

This report, which presents HSE's assessment, is in two parts

Part A: describes the terms of reference; legal considerations; assessment strategy; conclusions and recommendations;

Part B: describes the engineering assessment undertaken.

The Bridge is over 100 years old and some deterioration in its condition is to be expected. However, the assessment has indicated that over many years the maintenance system has not been robust enough to prevent significant deterioration in certain areas of the Bridge.

From the assessment (comprising a condition survey, a hazard analysis and a structural analysis) undertaken, it is HSE's judgement that:-

- the Bridge is safe, in its current condition, to carry Railtrack's present loading;

- although the Bridge has been allowed to deteriorate, at present the structural integrity of the Bridge is not compromised;

- the assessed carrying capacity of the Bridge in its current condition complies with modem standards of safe design of bridge structures;

- the existing maintenance regime requires improvement if the deterioration of the Bridge is to be arrested and potential structural problems in the future are to be avoided."

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