The Langport Embankment in Somerset was experiencing track settlement and general subsidence, putting the mainline railway above at risk of speed restrictions and closures. The embankment carries key passenger and freight services between London Paddington and Exeter St. Davids, hence remedial measures to arrest the movement and provide resilience of this critical part of the rail network were needed.
Network Rail Wales and Western appointed Suttle Projects as Principal Contractor to undertake the £11.5m safety critical embankment remediation works. The total embankment length is 1.25km, stretching either side of the River Parrett, and reaching 8 metres above the surrounding flood plain, an area of sensitive ecological and environmental interest. The works would be delivered in three phases over a two-year period, and upon completion would guarantee the long-term reliability of rail services at this important location.
A project of this nature will always bring challenges and our approach to simplifying projects would prove to be invaluable, in mitigating risks, respecting the sensitive environment, and achieving a safe and successful delivery of the technically complex stabilisation solution.
Creativity – The creative approach developed for stabilising the Langport Embankment resulted in significant cost and programme savings. Our developed solution proved to be such an innovative, efficient, and safe methodology, that it was subsequently adopted widely across the railway network to maximise industry productivity whilst trains are running.
Productivity – Through our ongoing investment in research and development, we identified new piling technology which when introduced into the project, resulted in significant time and cost savings by avoiding the importation of 10,000 tonnes of granular material; hence minimising carbon emissions, along with disruption to the local communities and highways network.
Reliability – Upon contract award our in-house design team undertook a full review of the client’s design proposals. We identified potential issues that could then be proactively and collaboratively resolved before they could impact outturn costs and programme delays. When it was identified that existing powerlines were lower than specified, we devised a new design and methodology solution that was accepted without revision, and the potential programme delay was averted.
Sustainability – Less than 0.4% of the project’s waste went to landfill, through our careful and proactive management in the importation and sustainable disposal of 90,000 tonnes of temporary works material
Award
As a result of our proactive and creative approach as Principal Contractor on the Langport Embankment project, we received Network Rail’s Safety and Sustainable Development 3 Star Award, a national recognition and only the second time it had been awarded within the Wales and Western Region, having previously been awarded in 2011.