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The North West Electrification Programme is a series of upgrades to the rail infrastructure in the north of England. Led by Network Rail, the multi-billion pound programme aimed to improve connectivity, reduce journey times and improve capacity for rail passengers in the region.
The bridge at Mossley Road was shut for reconstruction to provide enough clearance for overhead lines to be installed to power the new electric trains that would pass below. Bridge rebuilds are an essential part of the electrification of the railway between Manchester and Stalybridge, providing passengers with a faster, more reliable and efficient railway.
J. Murphy & Sons Limited provided Ainscough with a detailed itemised lifting plan for the removal of the old bridge and the installation of its replacement. The original plan was to use a single 1000-tonne crawler crane over two 54-hour possession periods.
Through early design intervention, Ainscough’s team of dedicated contract lift managers performed site surveys and were able to drive efficiencies through the development programme, saving the contractors a five-figure sum in the process. The survey revealed that a 500-tonne crane could be utilised for the first possession and removal of the old bridge by locating it closer to the lift, which would enable rigging to take place outside of the possession and increase the lifting time available for the possession.
In addition, Ainscough also provided site management, QHSE support and specialist crane engineers on site throughout the duration of the job, to help ensure continual operation of the cranes.
The project was completed on time and on budget with zero incidents. The cost for the 1000-tonne crane for the first possession would have been £44k; the actual cost for the 500Te crane and logistic support came in at £22k – realising a saving of 50%.
