- January 8, 2025
Maintaining the integrity of the rail network can be challenging and there are times when we are called upon to carry out works that don’t normally fall within our day-to-day scope.
When we were asked to tender for a project in the West Country, Frampton Mansell, in an area of outstanding natural beauty, that was different from our day to day works we jumped at the chance at proving to ourselves and our client CML that we were right for the job.
The drystone walling leading down to this RRV access point had fallen into disrepair. With over 135m needing replacing at a height of 1.25m in places this was going to be an interesting project.
Deliveries to site were set to test us as well due to the geographical location of the job. No lorries / large vehicles were allowed to site due to the size of surrounding roads. Materials were unloaded at an agreed location and loaded into a dumper with an excavator, the load was then distributed to our operatives. In total 144 tonnes of stone were used to make the repairs.
We carried out a combination of works to this site, some being:
- Removal of vegetation from the structure
- Removal of old walling 3 no sections
- Rebuild 3 sections of dry stone walling
- Relaying coping stones- like for like, Cock & Hen Style
- Rebuild Culvert Head Wall
- Reinstate Wire Fence
- Installation of Timber Post and rail fence
Even with the meticulous planning that goes into these types of projects there are instances when the unforeseen can happen.
Discovering a non-viable World War 2 explosive while excavating wall 3 wasn’t quite what we wanted, having to stand down our team and make the site safe, awaiting the bomb disposal squad to attend and make safe. There then followed a more detailed UXO survey to ascertain whether the site could contain any further ordnance – we are happy to say that the site was then considered a low UXO hazard level.
And of course, the Great British weather, being its unpredictable self, did mean that for a couple of days we had to stand down our team whilst the snow melted, making sure it was safe to carry on with works on this sloping site.
Despite these delays the project was finished on schedule, and we are delighted to report that zero incidents were recorded.
