INI SPITTAL JUNCTION

Key Project Details

Location: Berwick-upon-Tweed

Client: Network Rail

Sector: Rail

Contract Value: £206,000

Services: Provision of Environmental and Site Waste Management Plans, Provision of Construction Phase Plan, Work Package Plans, Task Briefing and Track Monitoring Plan in accordance with NR/L2/

RSK Environment and Central Alliance (CA) were engaged by the Network Rail Design Delivery team to undertake an emergency ground investigation on their rail embankment at Spittal Junction in Northumberland. The site is approximately 2.5km south of Berwick-upon-Tweed, OS Grid Ref NU00989 50874 on Engineers Line Reference (ELR) ECM7. The railway is an electrified twin track with Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) on an embankment which is up to 12m high, at approximately 25 degrees.

The Ground Investigation (GI) was required for the production of a ground model and installation of slope monitoring equipment at the site of a location where a track issue has been identified. Works were designed to intercept and assess the potential for worked coal seams within close vicinity to a potential mine shaft and possible adits. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether any coal seams underneath the site have been worked. The GI also undertook measures to investigate the wells present on site.

Prior to the GI team arriving, the following were undertaken on site in preparation for the intrusive works:

  • Ecology survey and production of PEA to establish site ecological constraints.
  • Production of Environmental Management and Site Waste Management Plan
  • Geophysical surveys to locate potential mine adits within the site extents
  • Minor vegetation clearance under Ecology watching brief.
  • Production and agreement of a Track Monitoring Plan.

Following the above surveys and site preparations, CA mobilised to the site and installed track monitoring equipment linked to a hosting portal with real-time track movement data and an email and text alert system. If any movement was detected whilst GI works were being undertaken, works were to be halted and the local NWR signaller/track maintenance engineers would be informed immediately.

CA mobilised our GT300 drilling rig and mule to the site to complete 4No. dynamic sample with rotary core follow-on boreholes to depths between 10.50m and 30.00m bgl. All boreholes were installed with 70mm inclinometer pipes with two 30m boreholes were also installed with VWP divers.

Project Highlights

  • Quick turnaround from enquiry to mobilising survey teams and drilling rigs to site.
  • Works completed within programme and budget.
  • All works were completed safely with 24/7 remote track monitoring to ensure that no track movements were created by drilling works.
A Central Alliance slope climbing drilling rig set out on a dry, grassy slope to complete ground investigation works, with three Central Alliance drillers stood on the platform of the rig, dressed in hi vis clothing and white helmets, operating the rig, with the edge of a railway line, the coastline, and a grey cloudy sky in the background.
A Central Alliance slope climbing drilling rig set out on a dry, grassy slope to complete ground investigation works, with three Central Alliance drillers stood on the platform of the rig, dressed in hi vis clothing and white helmets, operating the rig, with the edge of a railway line, various houses and buildings and a light blue cloudy sky in the background.
Projects

RSK Environment and Central Alliance (CA) were engaged by the Network Rail Design Delivery team to undertake an emergency ground investigation on their rail embankment at Spittal Junction in Northumberland. The site is approximately 2.5km south of Berwick-upon-Tweed, OS Grid Ref NU00989 50874 on Engineers Line Reference (ELR) ECM7. The railway is an electrified twin track with Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) on an embankment which is up to 12m high, at approximately 25 degrees.

The Ground Investigation (GI) was required for the production of a ground model and installation of slope monitoring equipment at the site of a location where a track issue has been identified. Works were designed to intercept and assess the potential for worked coal seams within close vicinity to a potential mine shaft and possible adits. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether any coal seams underneath the site have been worked. The GI also undertook measures to investigate the wells present on site.

Prior to the GI team arriving, the following were undertaken on site in preparation for the intrusive works:

  • Ecology survey and production of PEA to establish site ecological constraints.
  • Production of Environmental Management and Site Waste Management Plan
  • Geophysical surveys to locate potential mine adits within the site extents
  • Minor vegetation clearance under Ecology watching brief.
  • Production and agreement of a Track Monitoring Plan.

Following the above surveys and site preparations, CA mobilised to the site and installed track monitoring equipment linked to a hosting portal with real-time track movement data and an email and text alert system. If any movement was detected whilst GI works were being undertaken, works were to be halted and the local NWR signaller/track maintenance engineers would be informed immediately.

CA mobilised our GT300 drilling rig and mule to the site to complete 4No. dynamic sample with rotary core follow-on boreholes to depths between 10.50m and 30.00m bgl. All boreholes were installed with 70mm inclinometer pipes with two 30m boreholes were also installed with VWP divers.

Project Highlights

  • Quick turnaround from enquiry to mobilising survey teams and drilling rigs to site.
  • Works completed within programme and budget.
  • All works were completed safely with 24/7 remote track monitoring to ensure that no track movements were created by drilling works.
Projects

Key Project Details

Location: Berwick-upon-Tweed

Client: Network Rail

Sector: Rail

Contract Value: £206,000

Services: Provision of Environmental and Site Waste Management Plans, Provision of Construction Phase Plan, Work Package Plans, Task Briefing and Track Monitoring Plan in accordance with NR/L2/

A Central Alliance slope climbing drilling rig set out on a dry, grassy slope to complete ground investigation works, with three Central Alliance drillers stood on the platform of the rig, dressed in hi vis clothing and white helmets, operating the rig, with the edge of a railway line, the coastline, and a grey cloudy sky in the background.
A Central Alliance slope climbing drilling rig set out on a dry, grassy slope to complete ground investigation works, with three Central Alliance drillers stood on the platform of the rig, dressed in hi vis clothing and white helmets, operating the rig, with the edge of a railway line, various houses and buildings and a light blue cloudy sky in the background.