Mottram Viaduct

This five-span viaduct which crosses both a road and a river did not meet the Network Rail standards for carrying heavier trains or running trains at 60mph. Only two Sunday possessions were required, as the works were planned to ensure that there was no disruption to rail services or local residents. Restrictions in accessing the viaduct to evaluate the true extent of the work required proved challenging, and only when the access scaffold was in place could the true condition of the structure be assessed.

Added Value

We were originally carrying out works to extract dust and debris overnight. However, due to the proximity of residents to the viaduct, the decision was taken to allocate additional manpower to ensure that the cleaning required at the end of every day shift was completed before night fell. This dramatically reduced the amount of disruption that residents experienced and ensured that they were supportive of Taziker and Network Rail throughout the project.

We also reduced disruption to residents and rail services by utilising on overhead conveyor system to move steel beams into position along the bridge. This negated the need to use of a trackside or roadside crane; eliminating the need for multiple rail possessions or road closures.

Learning and Innovation

This project proved to be one of the most challenging that we have undertaken. No matter how much research was done, it was impossible to fully access the structure and assess the condition and construction of it. Throughout the project, we discovered problems with the structure that were unforeseen, so we maintained an adaptable approach to the work we carried out. The lessons we learnt from this project were also carried forward to the work we carried out on Dinting Vale Viaduct, which is remarkably similar in its construction. We were in a much better position to foresee potential issues and allow for this in our planning.