Project: Standedge Tunnel
Client: Network Rail

Timescale: 1998 - 2004
Noted for:  ICE Historic Bridge and Infrastructure Award

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) presented May Gurney Rail Services with a Historic Bridge and Infrastructure Award for the Standedge Tunnel strengthening scheme.

The ICE awards recognise excellence and innovation in the conservation of historic structures.

Standedge Tunnel is located near Huddersfield on the Manchester Victoria - Leeds line. The tunnel was constructed between 1890 and 1894 and is approximately 4,887 metres long. It comprises a single bore and contains two non-electrified railway tracks.

Structural monitoring in 1998 identified that remedial works were required and May Gurney was instructed, in partnership with specialist tunnel designers Donaldson and Network Rail's own engineers, to develop a scheme to strengthen and stabilise the tunnel.

In 2001/2002, May Gurney installed piled ground beams along the toes of the sidewalls. A second phase of work, completed in November 2004 involved the installation of new invert slabs, formed from precast concrete units, to act as props between the toes of the tunnel walls.

The work required closure of the line, and as such time constraints were a driving factor in developing the solution. The precast units were transported into position via rail-mounted plant and connected with quick setting insitu joints and steel couplers. Steel plates, laid over the joints once the initial set had taken place, enabled the immediate reinstatement of the railway tracks.