Guidance for Bridge Managers
UK Bridges Board, working with Bridge Owners Forum, has collated a list of bridge guidance to assist UK bridge management teams in finding, using and sharing best practice guidance. If you feel something is missing or have other feedback please use the Feedback Form
Latest publications and updates
| Image | Title | Added | Author | Published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Learning about bridges – Rochester Bridge Trust | 2024-11 | Rochester Bridge Trust | 2023-09 | Access free from the Rochester Bridge Trust website. Lions Langdon and Leonie are pleased to present their education kit – Learning about Bridges! Learning about Bridges offers 12 chapters on … |
 | Funding for bridge maintenance, CSS 2000 | 2024-11 | CSS | 2000-02 | A report prepared by the Bridges Group of the County Surveyors Society in 2000 to study the funding needs for bridge maintenance by Local Authorities and form a basis for … |
 | Commuted Sums for Highway Infrastructure Asset Management | 2024-05 | UKRLG | 2024-05 | Access free from the ADEPT website. This guidance is designed to allow LHAs to continue to reflect local priorities in their commuted sums policies, whilst providing a nationally consistent framework … |
 | Well Managed Highway Infrastructure – a Code of Practice | 2016-10 | UKRLG | 2016-10 | Access free from the UKRLG website. Also available from CIS. This document is the first edition of Well-managed Highway Infrastructure. It replaces Well-maintained Highways, Management of Highway Structures and Well-lit … |
 | Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Routemap | 2021-11 | UK Green Building Council | 2021-11 | Access free from the UKGBC website. Throughout 2021, UKGBC has been working with a cross-industry team to develop a Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap (the Roadmap) for the UK … |
 | UK Bridges Board Minutes | 2024 | UKRLG | 2024 | Access free from the UKRLG website. The UK Bridges Board, part of the UK Roads Leadership Group, brings bridge owners and managers together to share best practice in design, inspection, … |
 | CRE 244 – Masonry properties for assessing arch bridges | 1990-01 | TRL | 1990-01 | Access free from the TRL website. Also available from CIS. Written by Prof Emeritus A.W.Hendry. A discussion of the factors affecting the compressive strength of masonry which are relevant to … |
 | TRL Report 204. A guide to the strengthening and repair of masonry arch bridges | 1996 | TRL | 1996 | Available from CIS. The County Surveyor’s Society Bridges Group has produced with the assistance of TRL a Guide to the Repair and Strengthening of Arch Bridges. There are about forty … |
 | Bridge Inspection Guide 1983 | 1983 | Department for Transport | 1983 | This guide is concerned with the inspection of bridges during their service lives after their construction and the associated contract maintenance periods. It attempts to set out in a logical … |
 | Transport Act 1968 | 1968-10 | HMSO | 1968-10 | Access free from the legislation.gov.uk website. The Transport Act 1968 (1968 c.73) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The main provisions made changes to the structure … |
 | Traffic signs manual | 2018/19 | Department for Transport | 2018/19 | Access free from the gov.uk website. Also available from CIS. The traffic signs manual gives guidance on the use of traffic signs and road markings prescribed by the Traffic Signs … |
 | TAL 06/03 Managing the accidental obstruction of the railway by road vehicles | 2020-09 | Department for Transport | 2020-09 | Access free from the Gov.uk website. Also available from CIS. Advice to highway and rail authorities on assessing and planning for risk reduction at sites where roads cross or run … |
 | TRL Research Perspectives: Traffic loading on highway bridges | 2003 | TRL | 2003 | Purchase from the ICE Virtual Library website. Written by Peter Dawe. From the introduction of steam traction engines in the nineteenth century through to the commercial vehicles and heavy industrial … |
 | Conservation of Bridges | 2002-05 | Graham Tilly | 2002-05 | Purchase from the Amazon website. Referenced by National Highways CG 304. Out of print. Available at a price from Amazon or second hand book suppliers. This handbook provides a comprehensive … |
 | The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) 2016 | 2016-04 | HMSO | 2016-04 | Access free from the legislation.gov.uk website. Regulations which prescribe the design and conditions of use of traffic signs on or near roads in England, Scotland and Wales. Published in 2016. … |
 | Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, HMSO. | 1986-08 | HMSO | 1986-08 | Access free from the legislation.gov.uk website. From the Gov.uk website: These regulations are not available on the internet and have been amended many times which makes it very onerous to … |
 | Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 | 1999-01 | HMSO | 1999-01 | Access free from the legislation.gov.uk website. The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 is a UK law that sets out the maximum weight limits for vehicles using public roads. Some … |
 | The Green Book (2022) | 2022-11 | HM Treasury | 2022-11 | Access free from the gov.uk website. Also available from CIS. The Green Book is guidance issued by HM Treasury on how to appraise policies, programmes and projects. It also provides … |
 | Strengthening of rail track owned highway structures – guidance for implementation | 1999-03 | County Surveyors Society, LoBEG, Railtrack, SCOTS | 1999-03 | CSS and Railtrack negotiated a Joint Venture Agreement for assessment of Railtrack-owned bridges carrying the highway over railway. This document developed scenarios for the cost sharing of strengthening work, together … |
 | Structures Asset Valuation and Investment (SAVI) tool, User Guide, and earlier SAMPT documentation | 2024-05 | UK Bridges Board, UKRLG | 2024-05 | Access free from the UKRLG website. The Structures Asset Valuation and Investment Tool (SAVI) supports asset owners, operators and managers with the management of their structure stock. SAVI is a … |
 | Railway Bridge Maintenance, Second Edition | 2017-06 | ICE | 2017-06 | Purchase from the ICE Virtual Library website. Written by Nigel Ricketts Railway Bridge Maintenance, Second edition provides a thorough overview to assist those involved in the maintenance and management of … |
 | A Manual of Civil Engineering (1892) | 1862 | WJM Rankine | 1862 | Access free from the Archive.org website. By William John Macquorn Rankine, and originally published in 1862, this manual of civil engineering from 1894 includes chapters on surveying, levelling, setting out, … |
 | Provision of road restraint on local authority roads | 2011-10 | Department for Transport, UKRLG | 2011-10 | Access free from the UKRLG website. Also available from CIS. The UK’s roads are amongst the safest in Europe, nonetheless the number of accidents involving vehicles leaving the carriageway remains … |
 | Path bridges | 2006-11 | Paths for all | 2006-11 | Access free from the Paths for All website. In 1979 the Countryside Commission for Scotland (CCS) published Footbridges in the Countryside. It has remained the definitive (and only) guide to … |
 | PAS 2080:2023 Carbon Management in Infrastructure Verification | 2023-03 | British Standards Institute (BSI) | 2023-03 | Access free from the BSI website. At a time of a global climate emergency and with an international agreement to transition to a net zero carbon economy by or before … |
 | Parapet Height Protocol for Asset Owners and Managers – Design Guidance | 2023-01 | UKRLG | 2023-01 | Access free from the UKRLG website. This document aims to give guidance and advice to highway managers and bridge owners regarding roles and responsibilities relating to the revised requirements for … |
 | P138 Appraisal of existing iron and steel structures | 1997 | Steel Construction Institute | 1997 | Available from CIS. Written by Mike Bussell This publication gives guidance on the appraisal of existing iron and steel structures. It deals mainly with building structures in cast and wrought … |
 | Net Zero Bridges Group Carbon Calculation Guide | 2024-07 | Net Zero Bridges Group | 2024-07 | Access free from the Net Zero Bridges Group website. This note sets out the accepted approach for carrying out carbon calculations for bridges by the Net Zero Bridges Group to … |
 | NR/L3/CIV/142 The Management of the Movement of Abnormal Road Loads | 2017-12 | Network Rail | 2017-12 | Available from NR Portal, CIS. The purpose of this document is to define the requirements for the management of the movement of Abnormal Road Loads over Network Rail structures. These … |
 | NR/L3/CIV/076 Management of the Risk of Bridge Strikes from Road Vehicles and Waterborne Vessels | 2010-09 | Network Rail | 2010-09 | Available from NR Portal, CIS. The purpose of this Network Rail standard is to: – define the requirements for the management of Underline and Overline Bridges such that there is … |
 | NR/L3/CIV/023 Assessment of Footbridges | 2018-03 | Network Rail | 2018-03 | Available from NR Portal, CIS. This document provides requirements and advice for the assessment of footbridges. It complements NR/L2/CIV/035. It forms part of the control barrier ‘Carry out Structural Assessment … |
 | NR/L3/CIV/00012 Management of Road Vehicle Incursions | 2022-12 | Network Rail | 2022-12 | Available from NR Portal, CIS. This standard sets out the requirements for the management of risk from Road Vehicle Incursions (RVI) to the Operational Railway. It applies to the following … |
 | NR/L2/CIV/295 Scour Assessment of Bridges, Culverts and Retaining Walls | 2018-09 | Network Rail | 2018-09 | Available from NR Portal, CIS. This business process describes the procedures for safeguarding Network Rail structures from the risk of scour. It manages the threat of scour, which can lead … |
 | NR/L2/CIV/035 Management of Structures | 2019-06 | Network Rail | 2019-06 | Available from NR Portal, CIS. This Manual sets out the procedures for managing the load capacity of structures through structural assessment and carrying out structural assessments. Structural assessment is a … |
 | NR/GN/CIV/025 Guidance Note – The Structural Assessment of Underbridges | 2006-06 | Network Rail | 2006-06 | Available from NR Portal, CIS. The purpose of this document is to provide recommendations for applicable standards and analytical methods which may be used to determine the load carrying capacity … |
 | NR/GN/CIV/015 The Assessment of Underbridge Capacity (formerly RT/C/CE/015) | 1995-11 | Network Rail | 1995-11 | Available from NR Portal, CIS. The purpose of this Railtrack Line Code of Practice is to specify standards to which assessments of safe carrying capacities of Railtrack underbridges should be … |
 | Catalogue of Network Rail Standards | 2022-03 | Network Rail | 2022-03 | Access free from the Network Rail website. Also available from CIS. This is a publicly available list of Network Rail Standards but dates from March 2022. The latest version is … |
 | Network Management Manual | 2009-07 | National Highways | 2009-07 | Access free from the Standards for Highways website. Also available from CIS. The requirements and advice for the management of maintenance on the trunk road network are described in two … |
 | New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 | 1991-06 | HMSO | 1991-06 | Access free from the legislation.gov.uk website. The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA) is a UK law that sets out requirements for street works and road works carried … |
 | Prevention of strikes on bridges over highways: a protocol for highway managers and bridge owners (Issue 2) | 2014-07 | Network Rail | 2014-07 | Access free from the gov.uk website. Guidance on how drivers, transport staff and bridge owners can prevent vehicles from hitting bridges and what to do if a bridge strike happens. |
 | MCHW Volume 1 – Specification for highway works | 2022-10 | National Highways | 2022-10 | Access free from the Standards for Highways website. Also available from CIS. The Overseeing Organisations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have a comprehensive publication system entitled “Manual of … |
 | Management of highway structures – a code of practice | 2005-2013 | UKRLG | 2005-2013 | Access free from the UKRLG website. The purpose of this Code is to provide authoritative guidance on highway structures stewardship duties and the development of recognised Good Management Practice. The … |
 | LTN 1/20 Local Transport Note – Cycle Infrastructure Design | 2020-07 | Department for Transport | 2020-07 | Access free from the DfT website. Also available from CIS. This local transport note (LTN) provides guidance to local authorities on delivering high quality, cycle infrastructure including: – planning for … |
 | LoBEG Good Practice Guide – Risk-based Prioritisation & Value for Money | 2018-11 | LoBEG | 2018-11 | Access free from the LoBEG website. The London Bridges Engineering Group (LoBEG) and Transport for London (TfL) have developed a risk-based approach to the prioritisation of planned maintenance projects. This … |
 | LoBEG Good Practice Guide – Risk-based Inspection of Highway Structures | 2019-12 | LoBEG | 2019-12 | Access free from the LoBEG website. Highway structures form essential links in any highway network. A potential failure of any of these links could result in delays to the travelling … |
 | LoBEG Good Practice Guide – Creating Consistent Element Inventories for Highway Structures | 2011-08 | LoBEG | 2011-08 | Access free from the LoBEG website. This Good Practice Guide (GPG) has been prepared by the London Bridges Engineering Group (LoBEG) Asset Management Working Group to provide guidance and an … |
 | LoBEG Good Practice Guide – Lifecycle Planning for Highway Structures | 2011-08 | LoBEG | 2011-08 | Access free from the LoBEG website. This Good Practice Guide describes the lifecycle planning methodology developed by the London Bridges Engineering Group (LoBEG) Asset Management Working Group. The Group consider … |
 | National Highways Sector Scheme 31 for the Bridge Inspector Certification Scheme | 2016 | Lantra | 2016 | Access free from the Lantra website. Lantra runs an international certification scheme for bridge inspectors. The scheme is operated on behalf of the UK Bridges Board and is supported by … |
 | The Institution of Structural Engineers – Design for Zero | 2021 | Institution of Structural Engineers | 2021 | Purchase from the IStructE website. Also available from CIS. In Part 1 we examine the origins of some of our design practices and sources of carbon emissions. In Part 2, … |
 | Inspection Manual for Highway Structures, Volume 2 | 2007-05 | National Highways | 2007-05 | Volume 2 of the Inspection Manual for Highway Structures. The purpose of this Inspection Manual is to provide guidance on the inspection process for all staff involved in the management … |
 | Inspection Manual for Highway Structures, Volume 1 | 2007-05 | National Highways | 2007-05 | Volume 1 of the Inspection Manual for Highway Structures. The purpose of this Inspection Manual is to provide guidance on the inspection process for all staff involved in the management … |
 | ICE Manual of Bridge Engineering, 3rd Edition | 2022-03 | ICE | 2022-03 | Purchase from the ICE Virtual Library website. Written by Gerard Parke and Nigel Hewson The ICE Manual of Bridge Engineering is the industry’s leading guide to the engineering of all … |
 | ICE Low Carbon Concrete Routemap | 2022-04 | Institution of Civil Engineers | 2022-04 | Access free from the ICE website. The challenge before us is as clear as it has ever been, and with that challenge comes the realisation that we must meet it … |
 | HMEP UKRLG Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Guidance | 2013-05 | HMEP, UKRLG | 2013-05 | Access free from the UKRLG website. Asset management is a well-established discipline, implemented in the UK and internationally for the management of physical assets. Many asset owning organisations have adopted … |
 | Highways Act 1980 | 1980-11 | HMSO | 1980-11 | Access free from the legislation.gov.uk website. The Highways Act 1980 is a UK law that outlines the powers and responsibilities of local authorities and highway authorities in relation to highways, … |
 | Highway Bridge Management | 2022-12 | ICE | 2022-12 | Purchase from the ICE Virtual Library website. Edited by Richard Fish and Graham Cole. Highway Bridge Management provides bridge maintenance engineers and bridge managers with key information necessary to effectively … |
 | Heavy and High Load Grid Maps, withdrawn | 2012-07 | National Highways | 2012-07 | Access free from the gov.uk website. High and heavy load grids were designed to assist the haulage industry plan moves and ensure routes are maintained to agreed capacities. They were … |
 | Guidance – Definition of Asset Management Responsibilities: Bridges and Structures | 2022-02 | ADEPT, Department for Transport, National Highways, UKRLG | 2022-02 | Access free from the UKRLG website. This document provides guidance for Local Authorities and National Highways to assist in the agreement of operational and maintenance boundaries for bridges and structures … |
 | Guidance on the design, assessment and strengthening of masonry parapets on highway structures | 2012 | Department for Transport | 2012 | Also available from CIS. This document is the precursor to BS 8779:2022 Assessment, maintenance and repair of masonry highway parapets for bridges and other structures. From the summary of the … |
 | Eurocodes, National Annexes, and Published Documents | 2002-2022 | British Standards Institute (BSI) | 2002-2022 | Purchase from the BSI website. Also available from CIS. For a list of the relevant documents associated with Eurocodes refer to the Technical Approval Schedule (TAS) published by National Highways. |
 | Electronic Service Delivery of Abnormal Loads (ESDAL) | 2015-01 | National Highways | 2015-01 | Access free from the National Highways website. If you’re responsible for transporting an abnormal load, you need to follow regulations for notifying highway, police and bridge authorities. The ESDAL system … |
 | Dorman Long Handbooks | 1895-1964 | Dorman Long | 1895-1964 | Access free from the Dorman Long website. Dorman Long & Co., Ltd was first formed by Arthur Dorman and Albert de Laude Long in 1875 in the north east of … |
 | DMRB LA 106 – Cultural heritage assessment | 2020-01 | National Highways | 2020-01 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document sets out the requirements for assessing and reporting the effects on cultural heritage as part of the environmental … |
 | DMRB GG 103 – Introduction and general requirements for sustainable development and design | 2019-07 | National Highways | 2019-07 | Access free from the DMRB website. Sustainable development is a concept that seeks to ensure that economic, environmental and social and cultural factors are central to the way development is … |
 | DMRB GG 000 – Design Manual for Roads and Bridges Index | 2024-10 | National Highways | 2024-10 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document contains the current index of Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) documents as of the date of … |
 | DMRB CG 300 Design TAS – Generic Design Technical Approval Schedule (TAS) | 2024-10 | National Highways | 2024-10 | Access free from the DMRB website. This document is a schedule of standards and guidance that National Highways consider relevant to the design of highway bridges. It is regularly updated … |
 | DMRB CG 300 Assessment TAS – Generic Assessment Technical Approval Schedule | 2024-10 | National Highways | 2024-10 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document is a schedule of standards and guidance that National Highways consider relevant to the assessment of highway bridges. … |
 | DMRB GD 304 – Designing health and safety into maintenance | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. The Overseeing Organisation has legal duties with respect to the safety of road workers, road users and other parties. These legal duties are derived … |
 | DMRB CS 470 – Management of sub-standard highway structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. The purpose of this document is to provide the requirements for the management of highway structures that have either been … |
 | DMRB CS 468 – Assessment of Freyssinet concrete hinges in highway structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document provides requirements and advice for the assessment of existing Freyssinet concrete hinges in highway structures. This document supersedes … |
 | DMRB CS 467 – Risk management and structural assessment of concrete deck hinge structures | 2020-04 | National Highways | 2020-04 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. The use of this document enables the safety and serviceability of deck hinges to be managed and assessed, providing key … |
 | DMRB CS 466 – Risk management and structural assessment of concrete half-joint deck structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. The use of this document enables the safety and serviceability of half-joints to be managed and assessed, providing key information … |
 | DMRB CS 465 – Management of post-tensioned concrete bridges | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. Generally post-tensioned concrete bridges have given good service and few have had significant problems. However, tendons can be vulnerable to … |
 | DMRB CS 464 – Non-destructive testing of highway structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document contains the requirements related to the non destructive testing (NDT) of highways structures. Typical uses of NDT for … |
 | DMRB CS 463 – Load testing for bridge assessment | 2019-06 | National Highways | 2019-06 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. Bridges can fail assessment calculation even when they seem to be carrying normal traffic satisfactorily without any undue signs of … |
 | DMRB CS 462 – Repair and management of deteriorated concrete highway structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document provides requirements and advice for repair or management in service of deteriorated concrete highway structures. This document incorporates … |
 | DMRB CS 461 – Assessment and upgrading of in-service parapets | 2023-01 | National Highways | 2023-01 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document provides requirements and advice for the assessment and upgrading of existing vehicle parapets on highway structures. It gives … |
 | DMRB CS 460 – Management of corrugated steel buried structures | 2023-04 | National Highways | 2023-04 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document details the management requirements for corrugated steel buried structures (CSBS). A large number of CSBS act as culverts … |
 | DMRB CS 459 – The assessment of bridge substructures, retaining structures and buried structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. The use of this document enables the safety and serviceability of bridge substructures, retaining structures and buried structures to be … |
 | DMRB CS 458 – The assessment of highway bridges and structures for the effects of special type general order (STGO) and special order (SO) vehicles | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. National Highways document. The use of this document enables the effects of special type general order (STGO) and special order … |
 | DMRB CS 457 – The assessment of composite highway bridges and structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document contains requirements for the assessment of existing steel/concrete composite structures and structural elements. In the original drafting of … |
 | DMRB CS 456 – The assessment of steel highway bridges and structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document gives requirements for the assessment of existing steel structures and structural element on motorways and other trunk roads. … |
 | DMRB CS 455 – The assessment of concrete highway bridges and structures | 2022-10 | National Highways | 2022-10 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. The use of this document enables concrete highway bridges and structures to be assessed, providing key information that is required … |
 | DMRB CS 454 – Assessment of highway bridges and structures | 2022-10 | National Highways | 2022-10 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. The use of this document enables the structural safety and serviceability of highway bridges and structures to be assessed, providing … |
 | DMRB CS 453 – The assessment of highway bridge supports | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document contains the prioritisation, the loading (including broad principles for its application) and some specific guidelines for the assessment … |
 | DMRB CS 451 – Structural review and assessment of highway structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document presents a system for structural review and assessment of structures as recommended by “Management of Highway Structures? A … |
 | DMRB CS 450 – Inspection of highway structures | 2021-04 | National Highways | 2021-04 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document describes the inspection and reporting requirements for highway structures on motorway and all purpose trunk roads as defined … |
 | DMRB CM 431 – Maintenance painting of steelwork | 2019-12 | National Highways | 2019-12 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document sets out the requirements for, and gives advice on, the development of maintenance painting schemes and specifications for … |
 | DMRB CG 304 – Conservation of highway structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. National Highways document. There is a general public interest in historic bridges, to maintain them and to resist modernisation or … |
 | DMRB CG 302 – As-built, operational and maintenance records for highway structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document should be read in conjunction with the current health and safety legislation relevant to the highway construction industry. … |
 | DMRB CG 300 – Technical approval of highway structures | 2024-10 | National Highways | 2024-10 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document specifies the technical approval (TA) procedures for highway structures on motorways, trunk roads or any road designated by … |
 | DMRB CD 622 rev 1 Managing geotechnical risk | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. This document defines the technical approval and certification procedures to be used to ensure that the risks associated with geotechnical activities are appropriately managed. |
 | DMRB CD 529 – Design of outfall and culvert details | 2021-12 | National Highways | 2021-12 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document gives the requirements and advice for the design of outfalls and culverts. It supplements the guidance given in … |
 | DMRB CD 376 – Unreinforced masonry arch bridges | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. Experience has shown that arch bridges are very durable structures and should require less maintenance in comparison to other bridge … |
 | DMRB CD 373 – Impregnation of reinforced and prestressed concrete highway structures using hydrophobic pore-lining impregnants | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document provides the requirements and advice for the impregnation of reinforced and prestressed concrete highway structures using hydrophobic pore-lining … |
 | DMRB CD 372 – Design of post-installed anchors and reinforcing bar connections in concrete | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. This document provides design requirements for post-installed anchors and reinforcing bar connections – collectively referred to as fixings – in concrete, including the conceptual … |
 | DMRB CD 371 – Strengthening highway structures using fibre-reinforced polymers and externally bonded steel plates | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document has been developed to enable the use of Eurocode principles for basis of design when strengthening structures with … |
 | DMRB CD 370 – Cathodic protection for use in reinforced concrete highway structures | 2020-04 | National Highways | 2020-04 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. The content of this document is based on that of BA 83/02, re-written to make it compliant with the new … |
 | DMRB CD 369 – Surface protection for concrete highway structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document contains the requirements and supporting advice for the surface protection for concrete highway structures. This document incorporates technical … |
 | DMRB CD 368 – Design of fibre reinforced polymer bridges and highway structures | 2020-02 | National Highways | 2020-02 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document contains the requirements for the design of fibre reinforced polymer bridges. |
 | DMRB CD 358 – Waterproofing and surfacing of concrete bridge decks | 2022-03 | National Highways | 2022-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document sets out the requirements for waterproofing and surfacing concrete decks of highway bridges, including accommodation bridges, tunnels, box-type … |
 | DMRB CD 357 – Bridge expansion joints | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document sets out the requirements for the design and specification of expansion joints for use in highway bridge decks. … |
 | DMRB CD 355 – Application of whole-life costs for design and maintenance of highway structures | 2019-07 | National Highways | 2019-07 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. The purpose of this document is to present a common procedure for estimating the whole-life cost of alternative designs or … |
 | DMRB CD 354 – Design of Minor Structures | 2022-02 | National Highways | 2022-02 | Access free from the DMRB website. This document covers the design of minor highway structures including lighting columns, cantilever masts for traffic signals and/or speed cameras, CCTV masts, and fixed … |
 | DMRB CD 350 – The design of highway structures | 2020-03 | National Highways | 2020-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document gives requirements, advice and guidance of the Overseeing Organisation on the use of Eurocodes for the design of … |
 | DMRB CD 127 – Cross-sections and headrooms | 2021-07 | National Highways | 2021-07 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. This document provides requirements for the highway cross-sections and headroom at structures for motorway and all-purpose trunk roads. |
 | Technical Memorandum (Bridges) BE 2/73 – Prestressed concrete for Highway Structures | 1973-06 | National Highways | 1973-06 | This Memorandum supersedes Technical Memorandum BE 20 and Interim Memoranda IM2, 3 and 8 and is intended to be used in conjunction with the 1969 Edition of the Specification for … |
 | Technical Memorandum (Bridges) BE 1/77 Standard Highway Loadings | 2023-04 | National Highways | 1977-02 | This Technical Memorandum is a revision of BE 5/73: Standard Highway Loadings and is closely based on B116/2 draft loading requirements as consistent with the current elastic stress basis of … |
 | Technical Memorandum (Bridges) BE 1/73 (1st Edition) – Reinforced concrete for Highway Structures (and Amendment No 1) | 1979-07 | National Highways | 1979-07 | This Memorandum supersedes Technical Memorandum (Bridges) BE 1/73 issued in January 1973 and is intended to be used in conjunction with the 1969 Edition of the Specification for Road and … |
 | BE 13 – Fatigue risk in Bailey Bridges | 1968-04 | Highways Agency | 1968-04 | Access free from the DMRB website. The Military Engineering Experimental Establishment has drawn the Department’s attention to the possibility of fatigue failure occurring in the main girder panels of Bailey … |
 | DMRB BE 5/75 – Rules for the Design and Use of Freyssinet Concrete Hinges in Highway Structures | 1975-03 | National Highways | 1975-03 | Access free from the DMRB website. This Technical Memorandum in Metric Units replaced the Ministry of Transport Memorandum No. 577/1 published by HMSO in 1966. It has now been superseded … |
 | DMRB BD 97/12 – The Assessment of Scour and Other Hydraulic Actions at Highway Structures | 2012-05 | National Highways | 2012-05 | Access free from the DMRB website. Also available from CIS. Scour of foundations by the action of water is a major cause of bridge collapse, and it is important to … |
 | BD 37 – Loads for highway bridges | 1988-2001 | National Highways | 1988-2001 | Access free from the DMRB website. This Standard specifies the loading to be used for the design of highway bridges and associated structures through the attached revision of Composite Version … |
 | BD 21 – The assessment of highway bridges and structures | 1984-2001 | National Highways | 1984-2001 | Access free from the DMRB website. BD21 was the Standard giving criteria for the assessment of highway bridges and structures. The first version was BD 21/84. Subsequent revisions were BD21/93 … |
 | BA 16 – The assessment of highway bridges and structures | 1984-1997 | National Highways | 1984-1997 | Access free from the DMRB website. This Advice Note is intended to be used in conjunction with BD 21 (DMRB 3.4.3) for the assessment of highway bridges and structures. It … |
 | Guidance document for performance measurement of highway structures, Parts A, B1, B2, B3 and C | 2007 | County Surveyors Society, Highways Agency | 2007 | Also available from CIS. This document describes the framework for, and overall context of, performance measurement for highway structure. The performance measures are contained within one guidance document that contains … |
 | CSS Commuted Sums for Maintaining Infrastructure Assets | 2009-11 | ADEPT | 2009-11 | This document is SUPERSEDED but kept here for reference. The new document is here. This document produced by ADEPT (Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport, formerly CCS, … |
 | Bridge Condition Indicators, Volumes 1 to 3 (2002 and 2004) | 2002, 2004 | County Surveyors Society | 2002, 2004 | Published by the County Surveyors Society in 2002, with addenda in 2004. These documents outline a standard process for condition scores to bridge elements during the bridge inspection process |
 | Code of practice for works affecting the Canal and River Trust | 2022-04 | C&RT | 2022-04 | Access free from the C&RT website. The Code of Practice for Works Affecting the Canal & River Trust gives guidance and details procedures for all those whose work may or … |
 | Technical Report 68. Assessment, design and repair of fire-damaged concrete structures (includes amendment No. 1 January 2009) | 1990-01 | The Concrete Society | 1990-01 | Purchase from the Concrete Society website. Also available from CIS. Concrete has good fire resistance and concrete structures are generally capable of being repaired after a fire, even a severe … |
 | CAS 19 – Historic reinforcing bars and fabric | 2000-01 | The Concrete Society | 2000-01 | Purchase from the Concrete Society website. Also available from CIS. Provides information how Standards for steel have changed over the years, covering strengths, identification of reinforcement types, fabric sizes etc. |
 | Bridgeguard 3 – Current Information Sheets | 1999-2003 | Network Rail | 1999-2003 | Current Information Sheets were published by Network Rail as part of the Bridgeguard 3 programme between 1996 and 2004. They give advice and clarification on a variety of issues associated … |
 | SP171 – Manual on scour at bridges and other hydraulic structures – supplementary guide | 2021-05 | CIRIA | 2021-05 | Purchase from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. This supplement to C742 Manual on scour at bridges and other hydraulic structures, second edition captures additional knowledge since the guide … |
 | C800 – Guidance on the assessment of masonry arch bridges Part 2 | 2022-05 | CIRIA | 2022-05 | Access free from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. Masonry arch bridges have proved to be reliable, enduring structures and remain a vital part of the road, rail and … |
 | C800 – Guidance on the assessment of masonry arch bridges Part 1 | 2022-05 | CIRIA | 2022-05 | Access free from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. Masonry arch bridges have proved to be reliable, enduring structures and remain a vital part of the road, rail and … |
 | C798 – Non-destructive testing for civil structures | 2022-02 | CIRIA | 2022-02 | Purchase from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. Non-destructive testing (NDT) can be used to inform and support the management of structures across all stages of their life cycle. … |
 | C788 – Structural health monitoring in civil engineering | 2020-06 | CIRIA | 2020-06 | Purchase from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. The need for civil infrastructure to have a longer and more informed life, coupled with recent developments in technology, has led … |
 | C786 – Culvert, screen and outfall manual | 2019-12 | CIRIA | 2019-12 | Access free from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. Adopting a ‘whole life’ approach to the design and operation of culverts, screens and outfalls, this manual replaces two previous … |
 | CIRIA C784 – Deterioration modelling of civil engineering assets | 2019 | CIRIA | 2019 | Access free from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. Deterioration modelling is an analytical technique that involves the creation and use of a mathematical or rules-based model that seeks … |
 | C779 – Fibre-reinforced polymer bridges | 2018-10 | CIRIA | 2018-10 | Access free from the CIRIA website. Within the UK the projected growth in the use of FRP composites for structural applications in the construction sector suggests high levels of growth … |
 | C778 – Management of safety-critical fixings | 2019-02 | CIRIA | 2019-02 | Access free from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. Fixings are widely used in construction and include those that are safety-critical and non safety-critical. The case studies in this … |
 | C766 – Control of cracking caused by restrained deformation in concrete | 2018-12 | CIRIA | 2018-12 | Purchase from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. Cracking occurs when the tensile strain, arising from either restrained contraction or the strain differential within the concrete section, exceeds the … |
 | C764 – Hidden Defects in Bridges | 2017-06 | CIRIA | 2017-06 | Purchase from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. The UK and Ireland’s bridges play a critical role in support of their countries’ economies and societies. As evidenced by the … |
 | C760 – Guidance on embedded retaining wall design | 2017-02 | CIRIA | 2017-02 | Purchase from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. This publication provides good practice guidance on the selection and design of vertical embedded retaining walls to satisfy the requirements of … |
 | C742 – Manual on scour at bridges and other hydraulic structures, second edition. Supplementary guidance SP171 | 2015-04 | CIRIA | 2015-04 | Purchase from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. Structures built in or near rivers and other channels can be vulnerable to scour around their foundations. If the depth of … |
 | C689 – Culvert Guide | 2010-04 | CIRIA | 2010-04 | Purchase from the CIRIA website. A culvert provides the means of allowing infrastructure to cross a watercourse. Culverts are superficially simple structures, but they have the potential to restrict flow … |
 | C686 – Safe Access for Maintenance and Repair | 2009-05 | CIRIA | 2009-05 | Purchase from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. The purpose of this document is to assist designers by providing good practice guidance aimed specifically at designing for safe maintenance … |
 | C676 – Drystone retaining walls and their modifications: condition appraisal and remedial treatment | 2009-03 | CIRIA, County Surveyors Society | 2009-03 | Access free from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. This publication provides infrastructure owners, consulting engineers, contractors and maintenance managers with guidance on the management, condition appraisal, maintenance and … |
 | C671 – Tunnels: Inspection, Assessment and Maintenance | 2010-01 | CIRIA | 2010-01 | Purchase from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. This guide provides infrastructure owners, consulting engineers, contractors and maintenance managers with guidance on the management, condition appraisal, maintenance and repair … |
 | C664 – Iron and steel bridges: Condition appraisal and remedial treatment | 2007-11 | CIRIA | 2007-11 | Access free from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. This guidance is aimed to meet the requirements of those with a general knowledge of bridge engineering and asset management … |
 | CIRIA C660 – Early-age Thermal Crack Control in Concrete | 2007 | CIRIA | 2007 | Access free from the CIRIA website. This guide replaced R91 and has now been superseded by CIRIA C766. This guide provides a method for estimating the magnitude of crack-inducing strain … |
 | C656 – Masonry arch bridges: Condition appraisal and remedial treatment | 2006-08 | CIRIA | 2006-08 | Access free from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. Masonry arch bridges have proved to be reliable, enduring structures and remain a vital part of the road, rail and … |
 | CIRIA C543 – Bridge Detailing Guide | 2001 | CIRIA | 2001 | Available from CIS. Gives guidance for engineers and technicians engaged in the preparation and development of details for highway and accommodation bridges, subways, culverts and retaining walls. Concentrates on the … |
 | C519 – Action in the case of nonconformity of concrete structures | 2000-01 | CIRIA | 2000-01 | Purchase from the CIRIA website. Also available from CIS. As construction techniques become more sophisticated and the requirements of contract programmes become more demanding, nonconformities – that is, elements and … |
 | CIRIA Report 106 – Post tensioning systems for concrete in the UK: 1940 – 1985 | 1985 | CIRIA | 1985 | Available from CIS. The different forms of post-tensioning systems for concrete structures are presented in this Report. It covers not only those currently marketed in the UK, but also provides … |
 | Circular Roads 2/91 – Assessment and strengthening of highway bridges and structures | 1991-05 | Department for Transport | 1991-05 | Also available from CIS. A 15 year bridge rehabilitation programme for trunk road bridges was announced in November 1987. A major part of that programme was the assessment, and where … |
 | Circular Roads 61/72 – Routes for heavy and high abnormal loads | 1972-11 | Department of the Environment | 1972-11 | Also available from CIS. Circular Roads 61/72 introduced the Heavy and High Load Grids. The enclosed ‘heavy-load’ and ‘high-load’ grid maps showed routes currently capable of carrying gross loads up … |
 | Code of practice on the Highways Network Asset 2016 edition – Guidance Notes | 2016-08 | CIPFA | 2016-08 | Purchase from the CIPFA website. This Code, first published in 2010, provides guidance on the development and use of financial information to support asset management, financial management and reporting of … |
 | Code of practice on the Highways Network Asset 2016 edition | 2016-08 | CIPFA | 2016-08 | Purchase from the CIPFA website. These Guidance Notes support the CIPFA Code of Practice on the Highways Network Asset. These Guidance Notes aim to: a) provide finance teams with the … |
 | CIPFA Bulletin 12 Accounting for infrastructure assets temporary solution | 2023-01 | CIPFA | 2023-01 | Access free from the CIPFA website. The CIPFA Bulletin 12 ? Accounting for Infrastructure Assets ? Temporary Solution covers the issues to be considered regarding the temporary solution for the … |
 | TG10 – Enhancing the capacity of concrete bridges | 2008-12 | Concrete Bridge Development Group, Concrete Society | 2008-12 | Purchase from the Concrete Society website. Also available from CIS. This report covers the different types of strengthening for reinforced and prestressed concrete highway and railway bridges and for masonry … |
 | BS ISO 55000:2014 Asset Management | 2014-01 | British Standards Institute (BSI) | 2014-01 | Purchase from the BSI website. Also available from CIS. BS ISO 55000 defines the concepts and terminology needed to develop a long-term asset management system incorporating corporate mission, values, objectives, … |
 | BS5400 Steel, Concrete and Composite Bridges – Parts 1 to 10 | 1978-2006 | British Standards Institute (BSI) | 1978-2006 | Purchase from the British Standards Institute (BSi) website. Also available from CIS. BS 5400 was a British Standard code of practice for the design and construction of steel, concrete and … |
 | BS 8779:2022 Assessment, maintenance and repair of masonry highway parapets for bridges and other structures. Code of practice | 2022-05 | British Standards Institute (BSI) | 2022-05 | Purchase from the BSI website. Also available from CIS. This British Standard provides recommendations and guidance for the assessment, maintenance and repair of existing reinforced and unreinforced masonry parapets. It … |
 | Bridge Owners Forum Minutes | 2024 | Bridge Owners Forum | 2024 | Access free from the BOF website. The Bridge Owners Forum works alongside the UK Bridges Board bringing bridge owners and managers together to share best practice and innovation in the … |
 | Grand Challenges 2020 | 2020-03 | Bridge Owners Forum | 2020-03 | Access free from the BOF website. The Grand Challenges are intended to be used to influence bridge stakeholders, to present an accurate picture of the current pressures we face and … |
 | Advice on bridges, gradients and steps in England and Wales | 2023-01 | British Horse Society | 2023-01 | Access free from the British Horse Society website. Updated guidance from the British Horse Society on appropriate specifications for equestrian bridges over watercourses, roads and railways. |
 | MOT Technical Memorandum (Bridges) No. B.E.4 | 1967-1970 | Ministry of Transport | 1967-1970 | Ministry of Transport Technical Memorandum (Bridges) No. B.E.4 dated January 1967 (as amended up to 11th November 1970). The assessment of highway bridges for construction and use regulations (BE4, BE … |
 | BCSA Publication 11/84, Historical Structural Steelwork Handbook | 1984-04 | BCSA | 1984-04 | Access free from the BCSA website. Also available from CIS. Compiled and written by W Bates C Eng, FI Struct E Properties of UK and European cast iron, wrought iron … |
 | BCSA Publication 61/19: Historical Structural Iron and Steel Sections | 2019-09 | BCSA | 2019-09 | Purchase from the BCSA website. Also available from CIS. “Historical Structural Iron and Steel Sections ? Properties of historical cast iron, wrought iron and steel sections was originally published in … |
 | Asset Data Management Manual (ADMM) | 2021-10 | National Highways | 2021-10 | Access free from the Standards for Highways website. The ADMM sets out National Highways’ asset data requirements to achieve both its corporate objectives as well as its asset management objectives. … |
 | ADEPT Commuted Sums Calculator 2018 | 2018 | ADEPT | 2018 | Access free from the ADEPT website. A spreadsheet to assist in calculation of Commuted Sums for bridge projects |
 | Commuted sums for the relief of maintenance and reconstruction of bridges (amended) | 2017-08 | ADEPT | 2017-08 | Access free from the ADEPT website. A commuted sum is the calculated sum of money necessary to compensate for the transfer of a liability from one to another. The sum … |
 | ADEPT/Canal and River Trust Guidance Note | 2024-04 | ADEPT, C&RT | 2024-04 | Access free from the ADEPT, CRT website. A Guidance Note prepared by the ADEPT National Bridges Working Group and the Canal and River Trust to establish the basis of collaborative … |
 | ADEPT National Bridges Group Minutes | 2024 | ADEPT | 2024 | Access free from the ADEPT website. The ADEPT National Bridges Working Group is a forum for knowledge sharing and liaison between the local authorities who form the membership of ADEPT. … |
Publication News
MCHW Update. The MCHW is being updated by National Highways, and is expected to be formally published during 2024. More detail on the National Highways website here.
Document Publishers
National Highways Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works . DMRB current and archive documents are available on line, older archive documents on request
Network Rail Standards. Free copies of standards are available to government, local authorities, and NR suppliers after registering for an account. Approval takes up to a week, but thereafter documents can be obtained almost instantly.
CIRIA. Several important best practice guides are published by CIRIA and can be purchased or, in some cases, downloaded free.
BSI Group – purchase British Standards, Eurocodes, National Annexes, Published Documents.
ICE Virtual Library The virtual library of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Membership and/or subscription required.