Kirkby Thore, Cumbria

Client: BIRSE RAIL
Construction of a concrete raft beneath almost two miles of track to protect the infrastructure from sink holes below, including all permanent way and works to three structures.

The project consisted of improving the stability of two localised ground slab areas, strengthening and underpinning of an existing overbridge, construction of a new underbridge and demolition of an existing underbridge. In addition to this, a permanent way renewal was undertaken throughout the entire worksite, some 1,500m. All of this carried out on the picturesque Carlisle to Settle line, in the middle of Summer, and in 19 days!

Completion of the works within the timescale required round the clock working for the majority of July 2009. Prior to the blockade, major improvements of existing haul roads were required which saw us import in the region of 8,000 tonnes of additional granular material. This preparatory work ensured that we could safely deploy two 140 te crawler cranes to assist in the works.

Upon completion of the works, in consideration of both environmental and cost constraints, the stone used in the temporary haul roads were hauled by road to Penrith to allow Network Rail to utilise this stone in a hastily arranged embankment scheme to make best use of this additional material. Story Rail were integral in ensuring that this work happened.