Solution set to deliver £1m saving for Network Rail

A solution developed by the Rail Services’ team in York looks set to deliver a cost saving in the region of £1m for our customer Network Rail.

We’ve just completed a six week programme of 24/7 working to remove approximately 120 000 tonnes of material from a failed hill slope at Elland in Yorkshire. The 60m high hillside backs onto the main rail link between Manchester and Leeds, as well as the River Calder. The work was carried out under the LNE Structures Framework that we hold with Network Rail.

We transferred the slipped material to a spoil site and are now installing substantial slope and surface drainage to prevent a reoccurrence. The final task will be to reinstate the slope so that it blends with local surroundings.

The potential £1m saving comes as a result of negotiations to dispose of the spoil into a disused quarry rather than a landfill site.

The solution was developed by our York-based earthworks and environmental teams and designed by supply partners Arup Consulting Engineers.

The failed slip material was ‘dozed’ down the slope to track level and loaded onto rail mounted Unimog traction units fitted with trailers. The spoil was then transported 800m down the track and off-loaded onto all terrain dumpers for transportation to the old quarry.

We completed the slope works within the specified timescales, allowing Network Rail to reopen the line for normal train services as planned. The slope drainage and remediation works will continue for a further eight weeks.