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The status of engineers David Doran has written from London E11: In the continuing debate on the status of engineers, one thing occurs to me. Recent times have seen the growth of a number of specialisms (or subdisciplines) which have, my opinion, eroded the central role of the engineer. These include: - quantity surveying, - quality assurance, - value engineering, - risk management, - durabilty auditing, - project management.

Designed by the eminent French engineer Ferdinand Amodin, the Newport Transporter Bridge was closed in 1985 owing to concerns regarding its condition and safety. Despite its grade II* listed building status, it was not until 6 years later that funds were obtained to enable a comprehensive programme of refurbishment to be undertaken. Before repairs could be formulated, a detailed structural survey of every component of the bridge was carried out, and the data were used to investigate the behaviour of the bridge and its likely response to the proposed sequence of remedial works. This paper reviews what is believed would have been Arnodin's understanding of the bridge’s behaviour; and compares this with what can be deduced from contemporary analytical techniques and the current geometry of the structure. It describes the techniques used to carry out the repairs and summarises the procedures by which the replacement cable profiles and loads were determined. R.J. Lark, B.R. Mawson and A.K. Smith

The Ministry of Defence at Aldershot is to develop a new training facility at Aldershot Military town. The project will provide a facility consisting of a 50m swimming pool with changing accommodation together with a two-unit physical recreational training centre, six squash courts and pedestrian and vehicular access and parking. Adrian Baker