North East & Yorkshire Premier Rail

Selby in full Swing

Selby Swing Bridge
Written by Roma Publications

Selby Swing Bridge

Works to refurbish Selby Swing Bridge, which was built in 1889, have been completed following 9 months on site and years of planning.

The ÂŁ14 million project was originally meant to start in summer 2013 but was postponed due to the Hatfield Colliery landslip resulting in severe capacity restrictions on the network. 150 freight paths per day needed to be diverted around the blockage.

This is the first major refurbishment of the structure in its 125-year history. The structure itself has suffered with significant loss of paint and had started to rust causing loss of section to steelwork. The swing span had also suffered problems over the years causing associated alignment problems. The large works programme started in March and will be complete by the end of November. However the structure only needs to be closed to rail traffic for the six weeks between July 26th and September 8th.

Due to the Hatfield landslip and the additional year the project’s original scope was increased meaning that the onsite team had more to complete in the same six week time frame. The final scope for the project included the reconstruction of spans one, two and five of the bridge’s five spans. Spans three and four have been strengthened and on span three, 3no cross girders were replaced, as well as undertaking a significant amount M & E hydraulic refurbishment works. The track was completely removed and renewed with weathering steel rail bearers and a fixed track Vipa system. A new winch has also been installed, as have some new steps down to ground level to provide a better and safer access for bridge operators.

Selby Swing Bridge

To facilitate these works the team had to turn Selby station into a terminus station by installing buffer stops to both tracks. This also had to be undertaken to the north side of the structure to allow the Potters rail freight terminal to work as normally as possible although via a diversion route. The works to install the signalling were undertaken within the first 10 hrs of the 6 week blockade and had trains running again ready for the Saturday morning. Towards the back end of the blockade the signalling was reinstated with the buffers removed and signalling changed over and tested within the last 30hrs of the possession ahead of the Monday morning handback.

A new system has been utilised by the onsite team in order to paint the bridge in a shorter time frame. The Canadian method, Teramust, involved a high pressure, high temperature water blasting machine which removes the existing paint and leaves any solidly adhered paint on the structure, this existing paint is then tested with pull off test to determine if it can be painted over. The paint takes longer to set but takes less time initially and so could be completed in just two weeks; as well as the time benefits this system is much safer for the workers as well as the lead in the paint is not atomised, breathing apparatus and blood testing is not required.

The bridge, situated over the River Ouse, is a five span structure comprising two road spans, a fixed river span, a swing span to the main river channel and a small footpath/cycle path way for the transpennine trail. Span one of the bridge is located near to Selby Station which has remained operational during the works and so Network Rail, who have commissioned the project, have worked alongside the station throughout to ensure the smooth running of the refurbishment.

Selby Swing Bridge

Rail Construction News caught up with Darryl White, Project Manager from Network Rail, to find out more about the Selby Swing Bridge refurbishment project. He commented:

“The structure has now been completely painted, strengthened or reconstructed, with the track completely replaced with a swing span that is now more stable and reliable. The benefits of the work include the removal of all weight restrictions (HAW & OPOSS) raising of the bridge bash category to double amber on the road spans and an increase from 15mph back to the 25mph line speed. For me to be involved in the project it is a big achievement as I have been involved on and off for four years since the scheme began. It is a massive achievement to see something from the start, through to implementation and completion. Completing the project on time is great and something I’m proud of.”

Kier Group has acted as the main contractor during the scheme. Kier Group is a leading property, residential, construction and services group, specialising in building and civil engineering, support services, commercial property development, structured property financing and private and affordable housing with an annual revenue of ÂŁ2.8 billion. Kier employs over 16,000 people delivering world-class solutions in the UK and worldwide.

This project is the most significant refurbishment of the rail swing bridge since it was built in 1889. Now that the works have been undertaken many parts of the bridge will not need any further work for decades. The on site team worked 24 hours a day during the six week project in order to get everything finished on time, as well as working alongside train operators to put the best possible alternative travel arrangements in place.

Selby Swing Bridge

The works have also enabled weight restrictions to be removed from the bridge which will enable freight trains to move more freely along the route. The bridge also now looks smarter and stands as a more presentable part of the area.

Another benefit of the project is the swing span now opens and closes more softly reducing noise and wear improving rail services as a whole.

HS Carlsteel, formed in 2005, specialise in the provision of specialist structural steelwork services including the refurbishment of Railway and Highway Steel Bridges and Box Girder structures, on site-off site fabrication, temporary steelwork design and installation and the erection of complex structures to name but a few. The HS Carlsteel team were involved in this project.

During the project, which ran from July to September 2014, there were a number of service changes and temporary road closures in order to enable the team to undertake the works efficiently and within their time frame. Road diversions were agreed with the local authority and signs were put in place to keep the local community up to date with the project.

Selby Swing Bridge

First TransPennine and Northern Rail services were replaced by buses between Selby and Hull during the six week project and East Coast services were diverted between Doncaster and Hull via Goole. First Hull Trains services were also diverted between Doncaster and Hull calling additionally at Goole.

As well as additional bus services being implemented a drop in event was held to ensure local residents could find out more about the works. The drop in events also enabled authorities to minimise disruption to the local community.

The bridge reopened at the start of September allowing passengers to catch regular trains from York to Selby.

 

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