Brough Relief Road

CR Reynolds were appointed as Principal Contractor by competitive tender, to deliver works associated with opening up a 125-acre mixed-use development site.

Target

• To construct a new road over rail bridge and essential infrastructure linking the rapidly-expanding village of Brough with a new 125-acre mixed-use development.
• To minimise disruption to the active railway, residents and wildlife.
• To put in place the first phase of spine road, footpaths and services.

Action

• We constructed a new carriageway linking into the existing roads, and a residential roundabout to the South of the village.
• Construction of the new road on an embankment and over a new bridge.
• A new roundabout with four stub arms – vital preparation for the next development phase
• Reinforced concrete abutments, sitting on piled foundations
• Extensive earthworks – raising ground level by approximately 6m
• Construction of main spine road, footpaths, cycleways
• Street lighting works and installation of main services
• Creation of pumping stations and surface water balancing ponds
• Installation of noise attenuation fencing

Result
The project was completed within the required timescales and budget, and to the entire satisfaction of Network Rail and the local highway authority. Positive responses have been received from the community – including local residents and councillors – giving us great satisfaction.

Stakeholders
From our earliest involvement we nurtured an inclusive and elaborate approach to managing the works, ensuring all stakeholders views were understood and their expectations managed accordingly and appropriately.

In particular, we negotiated extensively with Network Rail to ensure the works were meticulously planned and managed such that at no point would there be any risk to the train services’ operation.Stakeholders (Continued)
All works undertaken adhered closely to agreements made with the client and all relevant statutory bodies, in meetings far in advance of the works’ commencement. Throughout, we worked closely with the client, whose representatives were on site at all times.

Challenges & Solutions

• Planning Conditions – all conditions discharged before works’ commencement and all works constructed above ground level to satisfy flood risk conditions.
• Active Railway – works undertaken to absolutely minimise line possessions.
• Residential Impact – careful planning to minimise noise, disruption and traffic. Including acoustic fencing and noise monitoring.
• Bridge Import/Placement – bridge pre-constructed at ground level then lifted into place during a one-night closure (12am – 4:30am)
• Ecology – many measures taken (archaeological watching brief, ecologists present, completion of tree protection / ecological surveys, careful selection of plant type/size)
• Health & Safety – all works undertaken to the exemplary standards of our safe systems of work, as Network Rail Principal Contractors Licence (PCL) holders

The Difference We Made
Our work enabled the commencement of construction on the new £200m residential, commercial, retail and leisure development and new primary school to the South of the village.

Our work will also ease traffic congestion in the village centre, diverting business traffic from an established residential area, and improving access between the village and the A63.