The Northampton & Lamport Railway’s version of Team Orange has started the preparation works on Bridge 11 project, which forms a key item on the Extension South to Boughton Crossing.
Since the end of March 2019 steps have been built at both ends of Bridge 11 to allow a temporary footpath & bridge to the west of Bridge 11. This is at the request of the council to keep the Brampton Valley Way open to pedestrians whilst Bridge 11 has its waterproofing replaced.
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- A view up the temporary footpath steps at the northern end of Bridge 11 on 07 April 2019 Photo credit: Graham Peacock
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- Henry Rivett testing out the new steps at the north end of Bridge 11 on 07 April 2019 Photo credit Graham Peacock
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- The girders for the temporary bridge are seen placed over the water on 14 April 2019 Photo Credit David Millard
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- A view looking from the south bank showing the temporary bridge girders & newly built steps on the north bank on 14 April 2019 Photo credit: David Millard
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- The new steps at the southern end of Bridge 11, ready for the temporay footpath diversion. 21 April 2019 Photo Credit: Graham Peacock
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- The completed steps at the southern end of Bridge 11. 21 April 2019 Photo credit: Graham Peacock
With the steps completed work has turned to the temporary bridge over the water course.
Once complete the initial preparation works at Bridge 11 will be complete. The main work to strip back the existing material down to the top of the arch brick work and drainage levels will commence at the end of May 2019, with the major work concentrated on week commencing 03 Jun 2019.
Please note once the major phase of the works start the Brampton Valley Way will be diverted for pedestrians and closed for other users such as cyclists. Signs have been posted around the site and the works are expected to take around 6 weeks.
The following schematic plan images show parts of the engineering plans which detail the new concrete deck and waterproofing that the works will install on Bridge 11. This will ensure the future use of the bridge for Brampton Valley Way users and the railway.
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- A view of a section through Bridge 11 looking East.
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- Bridge 11: Cross-section through the cattle creep arch at the northern end of the bridge.
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- A cross section through Bridge 11 at the top of one of the arches.
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- Bridge 11: Cross-section at a tie-bar location
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- A cross section through Bridge 11 where exisiting drainage is located.
Some estimated figures for the project are:
Bridge excavation:
Excavate out – 355m3 (comprising 96m3 spent ballast and 259m3 sand/gravel infill)
Re-use 30m3 spent ballast under Boughton No2 siding extension – balance of 66m3 for backfill on footpath side of bridge).
Re-use 143m3 sand/gravel behind section of platform wall south of signal pole – balance of 116m3 will need stockpiling somewhere for use behind future sections of platform when built.
Bridge re-instatement:
Concrete approx. 70m3 for engineering of deck etc (may be some extra concrete lost in flushing out the pump lines)
Used ballast above drainage layer on footpath side – 67m3
New Ballast Requirements:
- for drainage layer over concrete on footpath side – 33m3
- for part infill over piers on footpath side – 20m3
- for drainage layer and infill on railway side to top of formation before track – 166.5m3
- Total bridge fill ballast volume 219.5m3 which is about 372 tonnes (1.7 tonne per m3 approx.)
- for track infill to complete track work 78tonnes
- Total new ballast required – 450 tonnes
Funds for the work have been raised by the Railway and there is a need to raise £18000 in match funding to ensure the grant funding conditions are met. You can donate to the works via https://www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/boughton-extension
If you want to help out with the project or any role at the railway please take a look at https://www.nlr.org.uk/the-volunteers-at-the-nlr-need-you/ and join up as a volunteer working member or to show your support by becoming a member of the railway.
