28 June 2011

The skills of Costain and a member of its supply chain, in remedying one of the most high-profile engineering failures of the past decade, have been recognised by the industry.

The Association of Consulting Engineers (ACE) has awarded the Gerrards Cross project the top prize in the ‘infrastructure (large firm)’ category at its annual awards in London.  

The Award is given for engineering excellence displayed in construction projects, allied to other factors such as original design work, successful delivery to time and budget and creating future value beyond what would normally be expected from a project.

Costain became involved in the project after the headline-making collapse of a tunnel on to the live Marylebone to Birmingham rail line at Gerrard’s Cross, Buckinghamshire in July 2005. A retail store was due to be built on top of the completed tunnel structure.

Costain appointed URS Scott Wilson early in the process and they worked closely together to solve the engineering challenges that the scheme presented.

One challenge  was the design and engineering  involved in taking over a partly-built structure created by a third party. Around 220 metres of the 320-metre-long tunnel was retained but it was all strengthened and partly rebuilt to a new design created by URS Scott Wilson.

“We took over and re-engineered the tunnel to give a fully compliant and totally robust solution,” said Costain's Project Director, Martin Baughurst. The integrated team of Costain, URS Scott Wilson and the complete supply chain worked together ensuring that the scheme was delivered safely, to programme, budget and to the client’s full satisfaction.

 

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