Stokesay Cattle Arch - 03 October 2008

Monday 14th February 2000

Macrete Ireland supplied various precast concrete components to Stoksay cattle arch, in the picturesque valley of the River Onny, just north of Ludlow in Shropshire. The components were supplied on behalf of GWESPA (now Carillion Civils) for Network Rail.

The components supplied included

6 Nr PCC Box Culvert sections (3.6m wide x 2.7m high x 1.6m long). Each section weighed 20.00t.

4 Nr PCC Newel Posts (1.85m high x 1.5m wide x 2.55m long). Each post weighed 7.30t.

4 Nr PCC Wing Wall units to suit culverts, weighing from 10.50t to 13.30t each.

2 Nr PCC Robust Kerbs (1.1m high x 0.9m wide x 4.0m long). Each kerb weighed 6.50t.

The existing structure comprised of masonry abutments and wingwalls with steel trough deck girders and cast iron edge girders. The rails were fixed on longitudinal timbers with additional timber decking between the main girders. Network Rail's remit noted that the abutments were in poor condition and the superstructure was severely corroded. A new structure was called for which allowed for ballasted track to reduce future maintenance costs. The PCC Culvert solution was prepared which would give the local farmer continued access under the railway to his farmland to the west.

The main installation element of the works took place during a 50 hour abnormal railway possession over the wekend of 14th to 16th June 2008. This involved the removal of track by Network Rail, dismantling of the existing bridge, installation of the new culverts and backfilling ready for track reinstatement by Network Rail on the Sunday evening.

Many thanks to Andy Sorley & Guy Everitt of Carillion Civil Engineering for their help in compiling this article.