Littleborough Box Culvert
Catagory: Groundwater Control
Location: Rochdale, UK
Client: J. Murphy & Sons
Sector: Environment
Rochdale and Littleborough in Greater Manchester are at risk of flooding, with several significant flood events occurring in the past 20 years.
Part of the scheme to address the high flood risk in Rochdale and Littleborough involved construction of a flood overflow channel beneath the Calder Valley railway line. The channel comprised a 45m long box culvert to connect two storage reservoirs either side of the railway and were designed to store significant amounts of water in a flood event.
The Project
The flood overflow channel comprised a 45m long box culvert, connecting two storage reservoirs on either side of the railway. The storage reservoirs were designed to store significant amounts of water in a flood event
Network Rail appointed framework contractor J. Murphy & Sons (JMS) and designers Arcadis to design and build the flood overflow channel. Construction required a 4-day railway blockade during which the railway lines was removed, ground excavated, box culvert installed, and the railway line reinstated. Due to the time critical nature of the construction project, the works had to be thoroughly planned in advance to reduce the risk of any delay.
OGI Involvement
Together JMS, OGI developed a scope of works to support groundwater management throughout the project lifecycle.
OGI’s works included test pumping design & analysis, EA permitting assistance, a strategic dewatering system design, railway embankment settlement modelling analysis, site presence during the works, and finally decommissioning advice at the end of the project.
During the blockade, the dewatering system continued to work effectively, resulting in a dry and safe working environment for the works to proceed at its time critical pace.
Project Photos
