Embankment scheme commended at ICE awards

A £5m railway embankment stabilisation scheme at Ben Rhydding near Ilkley was commended at the 2006 Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Yorkshire and Humber Region Awards.

The ICE awards recognise the most meritorious civil engineering scheme in each year, and are presented by the ICE President during his annual visit to the region.

May Gurney, client Network Rail and Designers Atkins, received a joint certificate commending the project for 'excellence in concept, design and execution of civil engineering works'.

"The award recognises the innovative approach devised by the team, which both minimises the impact to the operational railway and gives Network Rail a cost effective solution, " said Bob Lowery, Project Manager for Network Rail.

Constructed in 1840, the embankment carries the electrified railway along the Wharfe valley. The works were required to allow continued use of this vital operational route between Leeds, Bradford and Ilkley.

The project is being delivered in a number of phases. During phase 1, which started in 2003, sub-surface and surface drainage was installed to reduce ground water pressures, which were having a significant effect on the hillside stability.

Continuing reviews of the design and on site works have resulted in significant savings in both time and money.

Works on site are continuing and it is hoped to complete the scheme this year. The chosen solution ensures that visual intrusion is kept to a minimum, and it is hoped that once works are completed there will be little or no evidence to indicate that a major civil engineering exercise has taken place in such an environmentally sensitive area.