A typical brick barrel arch reinforcement project in London City Centre meant only one thing – traffic warden alert!

Fortunately we do not need to include traffic wardens, parking management issues or congestion charge headaches into our current risk assessment or occupational health screening procedures (at least for now).
This contract was typical of the many brick barrel arches – sprayed concrete lining projects we have undertaken in central London over the last twenty years. Space comes at a premium in central London and every square foot comes at a significant cost.

Other recent sites include Oxford Street, Leicester Square and Mayfair.

These old Victorian structures are usually found under pavements adjacent to buildings, or part of cellars and underground vaults of buildings undergoing restoration, redevelopment or refurbishment, and require bringing up to modern building regulations standards with waterproofing and additional structural reinforcement.

GSSL crews are trained in confined space working to City & Guilds Level 2 with BA standard, and are well versed in restricted access and confined space working environments. Gas monitoring and escape procedures for working within confined spaces are the highest priority at planning stage and throughout the works to final completion.

Sprayed concrete lining, using the dry spray method (Gunite) is a frequently utilised method for this type of work, as it requires a small footprint for site establishment, is a fast application of concrete in a short time frame, has fast setting times, reduces interface with other contractors in tight working environments, and is not weather dependant, as it is usually inside buildings and situated below ground level.

Waterproofing additives are easy to mix with the concrete matrix to form a watertight seal between the existing structure and new sprayed concrete lining.