Waterscape Gallery

Tower top JLP01_09_871160

SEVERN BRIDGE, M48, AUST, SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE. A Laing worker standing on a platform at the top of the Aust tower of the Severn Bridge while shielding his eyes from the sun.
The original design and construction of the Severn Bridge had under estimated the increased volume of traffic since its completion in 1966 and whilst built to last 120 years it was found to require remedial work after just 20. Laing Industrial Engineering & Construction won the £29.5m contract from the Department of Transport and strengthening work on all elements of the structure began in May 1987. The project was completed in April 1990 in the same year that Laing jointly won the contract for the construction of the second Severn Crossing that would take the traffic pressure off the first bridge and extend its lifespan even further.
The photograph was taken during strengthening work undertaken by Laing. It was published in the December 1990 issue of Team Spirit, the Laing company newsletter. The view shows the deck of the bridge below stretching out towards the South Wales landscape

© Historic England Archive

London Bridge City JLP01_10_21810

London Bridge City, Southwark, Greater London. Looking east along the south bank of the River Thames towards Tower Bridge, showing the London Bridge City complex on the right with barges in the foreground.
Various buildings within this complex of offices, flats and shops on Tooley Street in London Bridge City were built by Laing Management Contracting for the St Martins Group who redeveloped the former Hay's Wharf site on the south bank of the River Thames. The redevelopment of the site took place over 2 1/2 years between 1985-1988 and included No.1 London Bridge, Cottons, Hays Galleria and 29-33 Tooley Street. At the time, it was the biggest building contract in London and was one of the largest construction projects in the country

© Historic England Archive

Demolition of Waterloo Bridge CXP01_01_099

WATERLOO BRIDGE, LAMBETH, GREATER LONDON. A view across the River Thames showing the demolition of the old Waterloo Bridge, with the shot tower at the Lambeth Lead Works on the right of the background.
The Waterloo Bridge, which is shown during its demolition, was designed by John Rennie and opened in 1817. It was demolished in the 1930s with another bridge replacing it in the 1940s

© Historic England Archive