RAIL WORK KEEPS ABSEILERS IN SUSPENSE

Tuesday 17 May 2005

RAIL WORK KEEPS ABSEILERS IN SUSPENSE

Region & Route:

Work to stabilise a railway cutting in Chorley is being done with a difference – by abseilers. Network Rail has called in 10 specialist abseilers to help complete the £450,000 project to repair the embankment on the Manchester to Preston line, which is 35m high with a steep slope of 55 degrees. Gary Openshaw, Network Rail’s General Manager for Preston, said: “This essential work is necessary to ensure the safe operation of this busy line. And we are pleased that it has been carried out without affecting train services.” The project to strengthen the cutting slope began in February following an assessment in spring 2004, which concluded the slope should be strengthened due to its steep sides and close proximity to Chorley tunnel. A ‘soil nailing’ scheme was chosen, and the specialist abseilers have been installing the 100 concrete ‘pins’ that will hold the cutting stable. The project will be completed by the end of the month.

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