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Bridge replacements works mark the start of the Trans Pennine electrification project

Work to remove and replace the decks of two bridges between Colton Junction and Church Fenton, near York, was completed over Easter and marked the commencement of Network Rail’s Trans Pennine electrification project.

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Being completed by VolkerRail, J. Murphy & Sons Limited and Siemens, the planned future electrification of the Trans Pennine route requires over 100 existing bridges and structures to be raised. This is to allow Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) to pass beneath.

The work to replace the decks at Brumber Hill and Bolton Percy Bridges was completed during a 54 hour closure of the railway over the bank holiday weekend. Both new bridges were designed by Tata Steel and Jacobs.

These bridges play an important role in the local community, carrying a farm access road and Oxton Lane over the Leeds and Normanton lines. The team worked to challenging timescales to ensure the lines were handed back on time and prior to any planned train services, on Tuesday 7th April 2015.

The changes to the bridges are a key part of Network Rail’s pledge to complete over 100km of electrification works along the Trans Pennine route, between Stalybridge and York, with a total of 104 structures also requiring improvements for gauge clearance and compliance with electrification standards.