As the fourth busiest station in the UK, London Bridge Station serves approximately 16,000 passengers every hour. The station's major regeneration project included the introduction of new platforms, a larger concourse, and the complex deconstruction of the train shed roof and support columns. Due to its critical role as a main transport hub into London, minimising disruption to both railway operations and the public was a top priority throughout the project.
RDG provided a comprehensive scaffold design and access solution for the safe removal of over 1,350 tonnes of steel, wrought iron, and cast iron from the existing train shed structure. A waterproof and impact-resistant access and protection deck was designed and positioned between the soffit of the old roof and the operational railway below. This deck served multiple functions: providing weather protection, facilitating safe access for workers, and collecting debris generated during the deconstruction.
The deck was assembled using bespoke loading gantries strategically positioned at both the London and country ends of the station. The gantries allowed for the incremental launch of deck elements, ensuring complete coverage across the entire station. The design ensured that the operation could proceed efficiently while keeping the railway line operational.
Once the deconstruction was complete, the access and protection deck was dismantled in reverse order, carefully following the original installation process. Through meticulous design and planning, including a strong focus on Safety by Design, the entire project was completed within a record time of 12 months, with minimal disruption to station services and passenger flow.
