St George’s Bridge, Junction 21, M5
Client: MJ Church
Works Completed: April 2026
Scope: Diamond wire sawing
Aquaforce Concrete Services was appointed to carry out specialist concrete cutting works as part of structural refurbishment operations at St George’s Bridge, Junction 21 of the M5.
The project involved the controlled removal of reinforced concrete struts beneath the bridge to allow for their replacement as part of ongoing structural upgrade works.
The works were undertaken in April 2026 and required a demolition methodology capable of producing precise cuts while operating in close proximity to sensitive infrastructure,
including a live railway adjacent to the bridge structure.
The scope comprised of the segmentation of existing reinforced concrete struts into approximately one‑metre-long sections, enabling each element to be safely lifted out by the client and replaced in a controlled sequence. Due to the size and mass of the struts, accuracy and stability during cutting were critical to maintaining structural integrity and ensuring compatibility with the following lifting operations.
Cutting methodology
Following assessment of site constraints and structural requirements, diamond wire sawing was selected as the preferred cutting technique. This method was particularly suited to the task:
- The large cross‑section and heavy reinforcement within the struts
- The requirement to work adjacent to a live railway
- The need to avoid vibration‑induced damage to the existing bridge structure
- Diamond wire sawing allowed Aquaforce to complete the cuts progressively and with full control, ensuring clean separation without introducing dynamic loads into the structure.
Outcomes & benefits
The use of diamond wire sawing delivered multiple technical and
operational benefits:
- Vibration free cutting, eliminating the risks associated with percussive methods
- No damage to adjacent structural elements or surrounding infrastructure
- High‑accuracy cuts, enabling predictable load behaviour during lifting
- Clean operation, with reduced noise, dust, and airborne debris
- Enhanced safety for operatives and nearby third‑party assets
- The works were completed successfully, meeting structural, safety, and programme requirements.
This project demonstrates Aquaforce Concrete Services’ capability to deliver precision concrete cutting solutions in complex, high‑risk environments.
The successful application of diamond wire sawing at St George’s Bridge highlights its effectiveness for large‑scale, reinforced concrete removal where control, accuracy, and protection of adjacent structures are paramount.
Find out more about our diamond wire sawing services here.