Propping helps improve pedestrian access for Northumberland Line

Northumberland Line, Palmersville

Project Overview

Location	Palmersville
Sector	Rail
Products	Propping & Jacking

As part of a £34 million investment by the Department for Transport (DfT) into re-introducing passenger services between Newcastle and Ashington, a number of upgrades are being made to the Northumberland Line. To assist with these works, main contractor Morgan Sindall Infrastructure required a range of our propping solutions to facilitate the safe and efficient installation of a new underpass.

The challenge

Improving rail connectivity

As part of the Northumberland Line project, six new stations are being delivered alongside major upgrades to track, signalling and infrastructure. The works include a new pedestrian underpass to replace the Palmersville Dairy level crossing.

Complex construction approach

The underpass was formed using pre-cast concrete units, transported to site by Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) and assembled on arrival. This approach reduced on-track construction time and improved safety.

Temporary works for safe installation

Temporary works were required to support the pre-cast units during lifting and placement onto the SPMT. These supports ensured the structures remained stable and undamaged throughout the lifting stages.

Our solution

“Mabey Hire developed us a temporary works scheme that enabled us to lift the pre-cast units in three sections, using its Mass 25 and Mass 50 propping solutions to prop the sides of the structures, allowing us to safely and securely lift each one on and off the SPMT. “Mabey Hire had completed similar schemes on other areas of the Northumberland Line Project, so we knew they had the right knowledge and experience to complete this specific job.”

View Propping Applications

Thanks to this prior experience, the project went smoothly, with Adam saying: “We only faced one late design change, after we reassessed a connection detail between the propping and found a potential risk in relation to shear and tension forces being applied in the jacking and SPMT carry stages. We added some additional anchors prior to lifting to counter this issue.

“Mabey Hire’s team were very efficient in assisting with these design changes and the implementation of them, all of which made our lives that bit easier.”

The overall Northumberland Line upgrades are scheduled to complete in Summer 2024, with this stage of the works completed in June 2023.

Get in touch

“Mabey Hire had completed similar schemes on other areas of the Northumberland Line Project, so we knew they had the right knowledge and experience to complete this specific job.”

Adam Payne

Site Manager, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure