HBPW has been playing a key ‘flood protection’ role in the continuing development of Daventry’s huge International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT), a civil engineering project that has now entered its third decade.
DIRFT is a rail-road intermodal freight terminal, with an associated warehousing estate, located four miles east of Rugby and six miles north of Daventry in Northamptonshire.
The original 300-acre development came into operation in 1997 and a 130-acre extension, often referred to as DIRFT II, was given the planning green light in 2005 with the ambition to be 100% rail connected. A huge Tesco distribution centre became the first tenant in 2011.
Now a second huge ‘rail connected’ extension, DIRFT III, is underway on the former Rugby radio station site, featuring more than 7.5m sq. ft. of warehousing.
It is bounded by the M1 to the east, with the A5 running through its centre. It was the A5 that presented several challenges for HBPW.
Engineer James Cable takes up the story:
“There is an existing culvert running beneath the single carriageway A5 – Long Dole – which carries Clifton Brook, however, due to the size and scale of DIRFT III and, more specifically, the nature of developments taking place in the area near the culvert, it had to be replaced with a larger structure in order to increase water flow capacity and enhance flood protection.”
Some of the flow control structures being put in place
The Permanent Works were put together by PBA Associated whilst HBPW designed the temporary works to support excavations.
“The road had to remain open at all times and Clifton Brook was diverted whilst the new culvert was constructed. This involved the use of flow diversion pipes. Temporary excavation was also required so, overall, there were several key elements that were required to support the smooth flow of work.”
In addition, HBPW also carried out the Permanent Works design for the new replacement Danes Way culvert which runs under the Danes Way dual carriageway estate access road and, again, allows for greater flow capacity.
“Finally, a 125m long, 2.8m high sheet piled training wall was installed between Long Dole and Danes Way culverts so that contractors could excavate and lower Clifton Brook’s bed base level. The brook, like the culverts that carry it, also has a higher water flow capacity,” added James.
The culvert replacements were required as part of works to regrade Clifton Brook so that it could be returned to its natural gradient, enhancing flood protection to both the A5 and Daventry’s International Rail Freight Terminal.
Client: Prologis UK Ltd
Contractor: Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd
Authority: Highways England