Polyurethane System Adopted for London Footbridge Refurbishment

Steelpaint Footbridge — Credit: Steelpaint

Steelpaint GmbH reported the completion of a milestone project at Roding Valley Station on the London Underground, where its three-layer moisture-curing polyurethane corrosion protection system was applied to the station’s elevated footbridge. The work followed a closure that began in early May and continued through August as part of a broader refurbishment effort.

M Group Rail & Aviation, the Transport for London contractor for the project, selected the Steelpaint system for its durability, ease of application and long-term maintenance benefits. The coatings, applied by Specialist Painting Group in Peterborough, consisted of the Stelcatec-L-PR anti-corrosive primer, the Stelcatec-L-NT intermediate layer known for adhesion and mechanical resilience, and the Stelcatec-L-TC UV-resistant topcoat. The system was applied to a dry film thickness of about 300 µm.

SPG director Ben Fallows said the coatings allow contractors to continue work in variable weather conditions. “TfL was looking for ways to strengthen durability and reduce lifecycle costs and project times, and the Steelpaint technology was the perfect solution,” he said.

The polyurethane system has gained increased attention in the United Kingdom since its approval by Network Rail. Certification was completed in January 2025 following laboratory testing and a field application on “gingered” steel. A demonstration in March showed the full system being applied and cured within four hours using standard rollers, with adhesion testing confirming performance on marginally prepared substrates.

Although the Roding Valley structure falls under TfL rather than Network Rail, the prior approval supported contractor confidence in its suitability for broader rail applications. M Group Rail & Aviation contracts manager Sean Mullett said the reduced rework risk was a significant benefit. “The coating system performed consistently from start to finish,” he said.

Steelpaint director Frank Müller said the United Kingdom has become one of the company’s fastest-growing markets as asset owners seek longer-lasting protection and more predictable performance from protective coating systems.