Severn Valley Railway
Client:
Severn Valley Railway
Contract:
JCT Design and Build
Category:
Civil Engineering
Engine House and Visitor Centre, Highley
George Law was appointed by Severn Valley Railway (SVR) to build the new Engine House at Highley in Bridgnorth, Shropshire which incorporated a visitor reception, gift shop, cafe and educational centre. Built on the side of the Severn Valley partly on mine arising from nearly disused mines. Laws was charged with stabilising the slope on which the million pound building was to be constructed. These works included vibro-stabilisation, ground anchors, piles, gabion retaining walls and soil ties which when constructed in defined phases to enable progression of the works across the site. Once well founded, draining from the site was managed through a swale adjacent to the railway to hold and manage any surge and then under the railway to an outfall into the river Severn.
Repair of failed slopes and reinstatement of railway line
In 2007, exceptionally heavy summer rains caused severe slips along the Severn Valley and from under the SVR. George Law was asked to undertake initial temporary repairs and subsequent long term reinstatement of the valley side and railway line.
Working on the slopes was often restricted by very difficult access made worse as nothing could be brought down the tracks. George Law assisted the engineer with proposals for practical solutions and that could be utilised. George Law was also vigilant while the works were undertaken to identify any new slips and to monitor the areas we were working on to ensure that our construction activities did not compound the problem or cause any danger to our workforce.