Rail Bridges On Track Despite Covid Lockdown

As the UK began its Covid lockdown, one corner of South Yorkshire was alive with activity ensuring that two Network Rail (NR) lines remained fully operational despite the worsening health crisis.

In the previous Control Period, HBPW engineers had been working with Amco Giffen to determine whether NR’s Victorian bridge over the Sheffield to Barnsley rail line at Wombwell should be strengthened or partially reconstructed.

However, when Network Rail expressed a desire to improve vertical clearance so that they could accommodate taller, modern rolling stock, it was decided that full deck reconstruction was needed. But no-one expected the possession period – when the old bridge is removed and the new one installed – to fall at the near-beginning of lockdown.

HBPW Partner, Jon Livesey takes up the story. “Possession slots are booked years in advance and Hough Lane was no exception, meaning all plans were scheduled and ready to go on March 28th.  Beams had been ordered, the road was closed and services diverted – we had no alternative but to carry on.”

In the event the new pre-stressed concrete beam deck bridge was built within a 56-hour blockade period despite national news having little room for anything other than the pandemic crisis!

Meanwhile, a similar scenario had already unfolded six miles down the road at Mexborough railway station just a week earlier.

“Near the station the railway crossed over the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation but the bridge, which assessments had shown to be life expired, was complicated,” said Jon.

The old structure comprised three sections –an independent canal towpath containing some large services, a masonry arch, the oldest part but now redundant, and in between the two, a third section made from wrought iron girders with timber decking. It was this central section, carrying the Doncaster to Sheffield line, that had to be reconstructed.

“Access was poor in the extreme due to water and the constraints of the bridge either side, impeding our ability to ‘drive’ any new structure into place, so we had to use a large crane sited at one corner of the bridge.”

“Again, we had just 56 hours to complete the task with ‘Covid’ buzzing in our ears from every TV channel in the country!” added Jon.

“Because of the possession times we had to use the fewest possible number of crane lifts so we developed a modular system with each module comprising a pair of weathering steel girders with a reinforced concrete slab.  The two modules were then stitched into place during the possession.

“It was planned with military precision and had to be carried out in the middle of a health crisis.  However, both the Mexborough and Wombwell jobs are testimony to the meticulous planning by all concerned. Two fantastic outcomes at one of the most difficult times in our history,” added Jon.