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Project History

RSI Ltd, based in Derbyshire, is a Bridge Inspection and Testing company and is
currently working on some of the busiest infrastructures in the UK.

Peak Rail Plc
RSI Ltd was tasked to carry out a full Principal Inspection to Bridge No. 35 near Matlock, Derbyshire for Peak Rail plc. The inspection was a prelude to a full refurbishment scheme to be carried out by third parties.

Bridge No 35 spans the River Derwent at Matlock, (at grid reference 428950, 360650) and was built in 1887. It comprises a continuous girder construction. The bridge replaced an earlier cast iron structure and carried two lines of track until being closed in 1968. 20 years later a local rail enthusiast group re-opened the line for private running. The conclusions of a structural assessment in 1989 recommended that the twin tracks be replaced by one single running track.

The bridge has four unequal spans constructed of wrought iron with six intermediate support columns constructed of cast iron and founded on bed rock. It has masonry abutment with historic patch repairs using engineering blue bricks.

The bearing arrangement/articulation comprises longitudinal rocker bearings at both abutments and restrained longitudinal sliding bearing at all the columns.

The parapet posts are cantilevered off the edge beams with a tubular top rail and metal straps as infill protection and there is a public right of way passing in front of the south abutment and a concessionary footpath over the west edge beam.

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