Collapsed Bridge Restored to Former Glory

Barrow upon Soar’s rail bridge, which partially collapsed amidst a flurry of media coverage, has been repaired and restored to its original glory.

Just before midnight on 1st August 2016 the structure, carrying Grove Lane across the Midland Main Line, gave way. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Initially two of the four railway lines were completely obstructed with debris on a third. The existing bridge was immediately closed to vehicle traffic and a temporary works solution of reinforced spray concrete and wall anchors was used to stabilise the exposed embankment face.

Scene of the partial bridge collapse at Barrow upon Soar 1

Since then Network Rail, HBPW and other key contractors have worked tirelessly to re-engineer the bridge and restore it to its former glory.

“The finished result in superb,” said HBPW Partner Paul Monaghan. “Everything is virtually back to normal now but, at the time, it was a stressful scenario requiring of prompt, effective action.”

The RAIB investigation concluded that the incident occurred because the bridge wall, built around 1840, was not designed to resist overturning.

It had also been weakened by a full- height vertical crack. The water main, which ran close to the vertical crack, probably had a slow leak which was causing on-going subsidence in the footpath.

The original bridge pre collapse