Media centre

Friday 25 Feb 2005

ENGINEERING FIRST AT NORTHANTS

Region & Route:

| Eastern

Network Rail is using an environmentally friendly engineering technique for the first time at Church Brampton, Northants. Work begins on 28 February to stabilise 120 metres of embankment at Railway Cottages on the Harlestone and Church Brampton road. The work is expected to take two weeks to complete and is being carried out to prevent any potential landslip from interfering with rail services. The engineering technique involves mixing soil with cement using a rotating tool. A strengthened ‘column’ is then created which holds the embankment in place. Network Rail senior project engineer Eddie Haddad said: “We have worked on a number of innovative solutions to earthwork-related problems and are excited to be using this engineering technique for the first time on the UK rail infrastructure.” The new technique is more cost effective and has less impact on the environment than the traditional ‘piling’ technique where soil is dug out of the ground to allow concrete to be poured in, leaving waste spoil for landfill. The soil mixing at Church Brampton will be completely waste-free. Train services will be limited to 40 miles per hour during the project to ensure worker safety. No lines will be closed. For information about services contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.