Replacing a Critical Gas Main Through Upton Road Bridge, Poole
In a busy, built-up area of Poole, a failing cast-iron gas main beneath Upton Road Bridge needed replacing. With ProFuse® gas pipe, specialist hydrodemolition and an existing bridge service void, Radius Systems worked with the project team to deliver a practical solution while minimising disruption to the surrounding community.
Project At A Glance
Customer: SGN
Installer: I&G Contractors
Specialist Contractor: Aquaforce Concrete Services
Product: ProFuse® gas pipe
Application: Medium-pressure gas main replacement
Technique: Hydrodemolition
Location: Poole, Dorset
Watch: A complex bridge crossing solved through collaboration, specialist hydrodemolition and Radius Systems’ ProFuse® Gas Pipe
Hear from the project team as they explain the challenges at Upton Road, how the bridge service void was used, and why ProFuse® was selected for the installation.
Replacing a Failing Gas Main on a Critical Transport Route
Repeated failures and ongoing leakage from the ageing cast-iron main created a clear need for replacement. Its location within a bridge carrying a key transport route through Poole limited conventional replacement options, complicated further by build-over constraints, existing services and restricted working space. A diversion across private land was considered, but would have required complex easement arrangements, additional cost and more extensive disruption.
How the Bridge Crossing Solution was Delivered
Finding a Viable Route Through the Bridge
Working with the local authority’s bridge structures team, the project partners identified an unused prefabricated service void within the bridge. Similar voids were already carrying telecommunications and electrical services, and the remaining space offered a practical alternative to constructing a new pipeline route across private land.
Preparing the Crossing with Hydrodemolition
Aquaforce Concrete Services used high-pressure water hydrodemolition to prepare the access required through the bridge structure. An anti-shear sleeve was then secured within the crossing, and rollers were used to support the ProFuse pipe as it was gradually inserted through the bridge.
Safeguarding Installation with ProFuse® Peelable Gas Pipe
Radius Systems provided product input as the project team considered the requirements of the constrained bridge insertion. ProFuse gas pipe was selected, as the peelable outer skin offered extra protection during the abrasive install process.
Collaborative Engineering
Delivered by I&G Contractors on behalf of SGN, the project brought together the local authority’s bridge structures team, Aquaforce Concrete Services and Radius Systems. Early engagement allowed the route, structural access, product selection and insertion method to be developed as one coordinated solution for the constrained bridge crossing.
Steve Crunden Construction Manager, SGN
“We engage with Radius to talk about projects that offer these kinds of difficulties, and in order to get the pipe that we feel is right for that job. In this particular instance, [it was] with the use of ProFuse with the peelable skin... It became quite obvious through that engagement that this was the right channel to go down.”
The Result: A More Resilient Gas Network for Poole
The completed installation enabled SGN to replace the ageing main using a route through the existing bridge structure, avoiding a more disruptive diversion across private land. By making effective use of existing infrastructure, the solution limited the need for additional construction and supports the long-term reliability of the local gas network.
Avoided a complex and disruptive diversion
Using the existing bridge service void removed the need for a new route across private land, avoiding complex easement arrangements and more extensive construction.
Minimized impact on a key transport route
The bridge-crossing solution reduced the need for additional intervention around a key transport route, helping to limit the impact on surrounding infrastructure and the local community.
A safer, more resilient gas network
The new pipeline provided a long-term replacement for the ageing cast-iron main, supporting a more reliable gas supply for customers in the local area.
