Reaching the underside of a bridge safely over a busy motorway can be as challenging as applying the protective coating itself. Thomson Protective Coatings has built a fleet of bespoke vehicles to tackle this task night after night.
The company opts for custom-built access platforms, cherry pickers, flatbed trucks and fully equipped highway maintenance vehicles engineered for the specific demands of bridge and elevated structure projects. This bespoke approach goes beyond standard equipment fitted off the shelf.
Specialist vehicles designed for complex sites
Every bridge project presents particular challenges, especially those above live UK roads such as the M1, M25 or A-roads. Thomson’s custom access vehicles enable operatives to reach awkward steelwork areas safely while maintaining a secure, controlled work environment.
Working at height, often on tight central reservations or verges, requires precision and safety features tailored to the situation. The company’s fleet includes equipment suited to overnight lane closures, when lower traffic volumes and road restrictions apply.
Night works with minimal disruption
Delivering high-quality coating systems often means limited working windows. Thomson’s dedicated vehicles allow teams to maximise these periods, completing work efficiently while minimising hold-ups to drivers and road users.
Using specialist equipment also supports compliance with UK safety regulations such as the Traffic Management Act and NRSWA, crucial for working alongside live highways. It helps keep both workers and the travelling public safe.
Supporting skills with the right tools
Behind the bespoke fleet is a highly experienced workforce trained to operate safely on bridges and elevated structures. The vehicles provide a platform where operatives can carry out detailed coating work without compromise.
Thomson Protective Coatings regards its specialised access solutions as integral to its capability. The investment in custom equipment aligns with the wider aim to protect the UK’s infrastructure while reducing risks and disturbance.
In short, its tailored vehicles and platforms allow more than just access. They make complex, high-risk sites manageable, supporting consistent delivery of protective coatings on some of the country’s most demanding motorway and highway bridges.
The company continues to invest in these capabilities, recognising that safe, efficient access is critical to successful infrastructure maintenance and refurbishment nationwide.
