Beaver Bridges Wins Forth Road Bridge Inspection Contract

Beaver Bridges Ltd has secured a landmark contract to inspect the main suspension cables of Scotland’s iconic Forth Road Bridge, having been appointed by BEAR Scotland on behalf of Transport Scotland. This agreement highlights the company’s increasing capability in delivering complex, high-profile national infrastructure projects.

Project Overview

The Forth Road Bridge, opened in 1964, spans 1,006 m between Fife and West Lothian, carrying dual carriageway lanes plus pedestrian and cycle paths—supporting around 65,000 daily crossings by 2012.

The contract includes specialist inspections of the bridge’s 600 mm-diameter main suspension cables, examining their internal condition—a critical task given previous concerns over wire corrosion. Work includes: cable wrapping removal, internal strand assessment, and remedial repairs as required.

Why Beaver Bridges Was Chosen

Beaver Bridges was selected due to its expertise in turnkey bridge engineering, awarded to the Bridge Contractor of the Year 2024 by New Civil Engineer. As a full-service provider—handling survey, design, fabrication, delivery, installation, and now specialist inspection—it brings unmatched capability and reliability to this contract.

CEO Henry Beaver commented: “We are excited to announce that we’ve secured a major new project on the iconic Forth Road Bridge… Our very experienced team is ready to apply our expertise in bridge engineering to deliver innovative solutions that will enhance the Forth Road Bridge’s future.”

Global Business Director, Richard Hinckley, added: “This significant scheme further solidifies our position as a full-service provider of bridging solutions. We look forward to expanding our presence in the Major Bridges sector with many more ground-breaking projects to come.”

Significance & Next Steps

• The Forth Road Bridge remains a vital transport artery and public transport corridor, requiring careful ongoing protection and maintenance. This inspection is part of wider structural preservation activities, including prior dehumidification and acoustic monitoring measures.
• Beaver Bridges’ scope covers temporary access solutions, engineered inspection aids, strand examination, repairs, and reinstatement works—delivering an end-to-end inspection and maintenance programme.
• This high-visibility contract reinforces Beaver Bridges’ credentials in national infrastructure delivery and cable-suspension expertise, building confidence for future large-scale bridge maintenance and inspection work.