Brigg Line freight enhancement, Brigg, North Lincolnshire
- Client: Network Rail
- Principal designer: Arup
- Principal engineer: Arup
- Principal contractor: Carillion plc
- Contract value: £11.3 million
About the project
The Brigg Line freight enhancement uses pioneering design to solve serious long-term structural problems – with huge environmental benefits.
Because of instability in the 1.3km twin track rail embankment, which lies on a flood plain and peat bog, use of the line had been reduced to just three passenger trains a week. However, growth predictions and the need to provide additional trains from Immingham to power stations in the Trent Valley needed a permanent solution. Network Rail aimed to increase traffic to around sixteen 2,000 tonne freight trains a day.
Working closely with Carillion and Network Rail, Arup proposed the use of a thick raft solution, with a 10 metre-wide reinforced rock mattress for the top 2 metres of the embankment. Two metre-high walls connected to the reinforcement created a stiff edge, increasing stability.
In addition to stabilising and strengthening the embankment, there have been major refurbishment and replacement works to three 19th century river bridges.
The project, which used 70 per cent recovered materials, was successfully completed within the 14 week blockade of the line. Track performance is even better than predicted, despite greater use than anticipated. The client, port and rail operators have all commended the scheme.
Judges' comment
"This project will remove 65 million ‘road miles’ by providing enhanced freight train facilities."