Bristol Temple Meads Station Refurbishment Design

Client: Stantec, on behalf of Taziker
Location: Bristol
Discipline: Multidisciplinary Engineering

OVERVIEW
As part of Network Rail and Bristol City Council’s commitment to invest in the largest transport interchange in the region, various areas within the station have been undergoing repairs and enhancements for the past 3.5 years, including:
- Replacing the main train shed glazing.
- Maintaining and repainting all canopies and main train shed ornate metalwork.
-Improving safe access for future inspection and maintenance.
- Providing new lighting systems.

The main goal of the scheme is to meet demand and improve the customer experience whilst preserving the architectural integrity of the station, which classed as a Grade 1 Listed building.

PROJECT INVOLVEMENT
We have been involved in the project since its early development stage which initially involved visual inspections and defect reporting. The findings from these surveys were compiled and a subsequent contract was let to develop repair designs for the implementation stage.

To enable delivery of the repairs, temporary works were specified by the Principal Contractor which proposed locations of foundations on the operational platforms. We undertook a suite of intrusive surveys and structural inspections of the undercroft to demonstrate the structural capacity to support the loads from the temporary works.

This included the use of specialist assessment software to demonstrate that supporting arches remained stable. Secondary temporary works systems were specified to ensure that structures undercapacity were stabilised throughout the project. These had to be cognisant of operational restrictions such as pedestrian flow, security, buildability and resilience. Temporary foundations upon the platforms were also modelled with finite element analysis to make them as efficient and therefore as compact as possible with no distress to the surfacing.

Platform operations were affected by the introduction of temporary structures throughout the Main Shed, and we developed BIM models to aid in sighting of temporary customer information systems, signalling and telecommunications equipment. Similarly, a temporary lighting arrangement was engineered to sustain lighting levels and prevent any shadowing.

With temporary access in place at the station, investigative surveys were resumed following abrasive blasting of the metalwork. This activity identified numerous severe defects resulting from corrosion or overstress and we commenced assessing residual capacities and designing structural repairs.
Each repair considered sustaining the stability of the member during its installation such that it was not temporarily weakened. An extensive catalogue of repairs has been developed and are available for re-application around the station as blast-cleaning and remedial works progress. The repairs also focus on using sympathetic construction methods that will not conflict with the general appearance of the shed roof superstructure.

Elsewhere, we developed a bespoke design for a safety access system that will enable trained personnel access for future asset management inspections to the exterior of the roof, developed several intricate repairs to ornate cast iron structures and provided local improvements to the canopy drainage.

As at Autumn 2023, the blast cleaning works are ongoing and unique repairs are still developed as are required. Further project phases remain and therefore so will our involvement in this prestigious project.