Werrington Grade Separation
Werrington, Peterborough, UK · 2018–2021
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe project successfully removed a significant bottleneck on the East Coast Main Line, improving capacity and reliability for both passenger and freight services. - The use of a curved box jack was a unique technical challenge, demonstrating innovative civil engineering solutions. - Effective planning and execution were crucial to minimize disruption to one of the UK's busiest railway lines.
Key engineering challenges
Constructing a curved box jack (dive-under tunnel) beneath the operational East Coast Main Line without disrupting services. - Managing a very high water table during excavation and construction, requiring extensive dewatering. - Working within a tight timeframe and constrained site, necessitating innovative construction methods. - Integrating the new infrastructure with existing railway systems and signalling.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Network Rail
- Lead contractor
- Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, VolkerFitzpatrick (main contractors for various phases), Story Contracting (sub-contractor)
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build, upgrade
- Scale
- 150m long curved box jack (dive-under tunnel); excavation of over 50,000m³ of soil and clay; allows freight trains to pass under the East Coast Main Line.
- Disciplines
- civil; structural; geotechnical; mechanical; electrical; project management
- Standards & frameworks
- Network Rail standards
Sources: Rail Engineer (Apr 2021, https://www.railengineer.co.uk/the-big-push/); Institution of Civil Engineers (Apr 2021, https://www.ice.org.uk/events/recorded-lectures/werrington-grade-separation-project-1); GEplus (Mar 2021, https://www.geplus.co.uk/events/27-april-werrington-grade-separation-project-12-03-2021/); RSS Infrastructure (undated, https://www.rssinfrastructure.com/projects/werrington-grade-separation/)