A concrete formwork system for a bridge or bridge pier head, the system comprising: at least one of a formwork element or a beam (26, 26a, b); and at least one striking tool, comprising: a base element comprising a mounting portion configured to attach the base element to a mounting surface of the poured concrete; a striking element configured to engage with the at least one of a formwork element or a beam (26, 26a, b) such that the at least one formwork element or beam (26, 26a, b) has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a bottom surface of the base element when the at least one formwork element or beam (26, 26a, b) is engaged with the striking element of the striking tool; a plurality of struts, wherein the base element, the striking element, and the plurality of struts define a parallelogram configuration; and an actuation mechanism comprising a threaded spindle configured to cause horizontal motion of the striking element relative to the base element, wherein preferably the spindle comprises an attachment point configured to receive a screw-wrench or ratchet, wherein the threaded spindle is configured to cause relative motion between the base element and the striking element such that the motion of the striking element includes simultaneous motion in horizontal and vertical directions by virtue of the rotational motion of the respective struts about their pivot points relative to the base element to strike the formwork element or the beam (26, 26a, b) from the mounting surface. at least one of a formwork element or a beam (26, 26a, b); and at least one striking tool, comprising: a base element comprising a mounting portion configured to attach the base element to a mounting surface of the poured concrete; a striking element configured to engage with the at least one of a formwork element or a beam (26, 26a, b) such that the at least one formwork element or beam (26, 26a, b) has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a bottom surface of the base element when the at least one formwork element or beam (26, 26a, b) is engaged with the striking element of the striking tool; a plurality of struts, wherein the base element, the striking element, and the plurality of struts define a parallelogram configuration; and an actuation mechanism comprising a threaded spindle configured to cause horizontal motion of the striking element relative to the base element, wherein preferably the spindle comprises an attachment point configured to receive a screw-wrench or ratchet, wherein the threaded spindle is configured to cause relative motion between the base element and the striking element such that the motion of the striking element includes simultaneous motion in horizontal and vertical directions by virtue of the rotational motion of the respective struts about their pivot points relative to the base element to strike the formwork element or the beam (26, 26a, b) from the mounting surface. a base element comprising a mounting portion configured to attach the base element to a mounting surface of the poured concrete; a striking element configured to engage with the at least one of a formwork element or a beam (26, 26a, b) such that the at least one formwork element or beam (26, 26a, b) has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a bottom surface of the base element when the at least one formwork element or beam (26, 26a, b) is engaged with the striking element of the striking tool; a plurality of struts, wherein the base element, the striking element, and the plurality of struts define a parallelogram configuration; and an actuation mechanism comprising a threaded spindle configured to cause horizontal motion of the striking element relative to the base element, wherein preferably the spindle comprises an attachment point configured to receive a screw-wrench or ratchet, wherein the threaded spindle is configured to cause relative motion between the base element and the striking element such that the motion of the striking element includes simultaneous motion in horizontal and vertical directions by virtue of the rotational motion of the respective struts about their pivot points relative to the base element to strike the formwork element or the beam (26, 26a, b) from the mounting surface.