ISSUE 53 Expert Witness Journal - Journal - Page 36
the trial argued that the defendants were aware of the
risk of collapse but failed to act.
Hammersmith and Fulham’s engineers began
working on the bridge on 28 February 2022 as part of
a two-phase £8.9 million restoration project. Phase
one focuses on the stabilisation of the bridge, specifically stabilising the micro-fractures in the cast iron
pedals and replacing the Victorian bearings. Phase
two relates to the completed restoration and opening
of the bridge. Hammersmith and Fulham Council
submitted the business case for the programme to the
Department for Transport in December 2022. A procurement process is underway and 10 interested potential bidders have put themselves forward to carry
out the full restoration project. It is anticipated that
invitations to tender will be issued in 2024 with a
contract award made by 2025.
The collapse sparked a critique of the inspection
regime in Italy, specifically how private bodies in
charge of the inspection fell below an adequate standard. Indeed, Autostrade’s parent company also
owned Spea, the maintenance and inspection company and thus, Autostrade were essentially self-regulated. Critics have termed this a deep systemic failing
into how Italy privatised roadways and subsequently
failed to ensure safety. The power imbalance between
private companies and the state arguably resulted in
inadequate state oversight. Experts say that when it
comes to inspection arrangements, greater regulation
of privatised bridges and highways is required by the
government.
Conclusion:
In essence, it seems that a key factor contributing to
the tragic Polcevera bridge collapse was the privatisation of the maintenance and inspection of bridges in
Italy, coupled with minimal state oversight. The
tragedy is a timely reminder of the need for clarity and
strict controls over standards where matters of life
safety are concerned and where powers are devolved
to private companies and a need to ensure those standards and controls are maintained. Whilst the current industry and government focus in the UK is on
building safety following Grenfell, the exact same considerations arise for our infrastructure. It is a shame
it takes tragedies of this scale for corrective action to
take place
The inspection regime across Europe varies. In the
UK, responsibility for maintaining the UK’s highway
bridges falls under the National Highways (or devolved bodies). These bodies outline the rules for
maintenance and the frequency of inspection. The
UK utilises technologies such as drones, acoustic emission monitoring devices and real-time monitoring
systems on large structures.
Additionally, in some circumstances local authorities
or trusts are responsible for the maintenance and inspection of bridges. Inspections can be carried out by
private companies who inspect on behalf of the
authority responsible.
www.beale-law.com
A key contrast between the inspection regime in the
UK and the regime in Italy is that although private
companies are used to carry out inspections in the
UK, the standards and inspection requirements are
specified by government bodies. Thus, there is a
greater responsibility to meet those standards which
are often set out in the concession contract.
Computer Forensics, Digital Investigation, Mobile Phone Forensics
Dr Daryl Hamilton Wallis BSc (1994), PhD (1998) FBCS
Whether you require digital forensic investigation, digital forensic training,
The ‘Design Manual for Roads and Bridges’ dictates
that bridges must undergo a general, visual inspection
every two years and a close, principal inspection every
six years. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 also places duties on a range
of parties, including designers, contractors and clients
to ensure that construction works including the maintenance activities, are executed and designed to a high
standard, using competent experts with adequate
resources.
expert witness testimony, or even data recovery and security, Fields
Associates is home to some of the most experienced and respected analysts,
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At Fields Associates, we specialise in the recovery of the digital “fingerprints”
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experienced expert in digital forensics can significantly influence the outcome
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We have experience of giving evidence in court and working with legal aid
Having a vigorous monitoring process in place
enabled the identification of potential risks associated
with the Hammersmith Bridge. Initially built in 1887,
it is one of the world’s oldest suspension bridges. Comprised of wood and wrought iron, with the suspension
held in place by cast iron pedestals, it is known as a national landmark. However, in 2020 the bridge was
fully closed on public safety grounds. Investigations
showed micro-fractures in the cast iron pedestals
which hold the weight of the bridge. Engineers discovered this was due to unchecked corrosion. In 2021,
it was reopened to pedestrians and cyclists following
an extensive investigation and the implementation of
a temperature control monitoring system.
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
clients. Average number of new instructions is 50 annually, with over 400
reports and 60 court appearances in the last 3 years.
Our expertise also covers:
Accounting services
Business Valuation
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Child Pornography
Computer Forensics
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Data Theft
Digital Forensics
Due Dilligence
e-Disclosure and Litigation
Extortion
False Accounting
Financial Crime
Forensic Accounting
Fraud
Intellectual Property
Internet Abuse
Mobile Forensics
Secure Data Erasure
Security risk
Tel:
0800 083 7891 - Mobile: 07817 766070
Email: enquiries@fieldsassociates.co.uk - Website: www.fieldsassociates.co.uk
Fields Associates, Fields House, Old Field Road, Bocam Park, Pencoed, CF35 5LJ
Area of work: Worldwide
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