COWDRAY POSSESSION
OVERVIEW
Topbond were appointed through ECI to design and develop the structural repair works to Cowdray Avenue railway bridge in Colchester. The structure was in poor condition with network rail assets at risk of delaminated concrete falling on the network. The existing parapets having also failed over time also presented a risk to the railway below. During the ECI process Topbond designed complex temporary works to allow for the replacement of parapets with a new precast concrete like for like parapet which were constructed in-house and safe removal of delaminated concrete all in a 72-hour rail possession.
THE CHALLENGE
The main challenges for the successful delivery of the project were the temporary works and rail protection measures. The clients rail possession of 72 hours increased the projects risks and careful hour by hour possession planning was required with the collaboration between the highways and rail client.
THE SOLUTION
Complex temporary works were designed in-house by our engineering team and presented to network rail for approval many months prior to the possession; planning ahead critical to the execution of the project. Mid-week trial runs of parapet replacements were completed off-line to confirm the delivery programme, ensuring works were completed in the timescales set out by the possession.
