Story Contracting Ltd were engaged by Ansaldo STS (Hitachi) as their principal contractor to support the comprehensive upgrade of the Glasgow Subway network for SPT (Strathclyde Partnership for Transport).
Story Contracting Ltd were engaged by Ansaldo STS (Hitachi) as their principal contractor to support the comprehensive upgrade of the Glasgow Subway network for SPT (Strathclyde Partnership for Transport). The project involved the design and construction of a new depot and associated infrastructure to facilitate the introduction of 17 new driverless trains to the underground railway.
The site itself is located within the centre of Govan, surrounded by live Network Rail lines, the SPT live depot, the M8 motorway and the Rangers football stadium. With the project’s location came various challenges with access and egress for heavy site vehicles and deliveries. Upon arrival on site, the area was contaminated with large quantities of construction and household waste along with asbestos, Japanese Knotweed and high levels of methane gas present in the ground. Being naturally lower in elevation than the surrounding area, the site captured all water run off from the adjacent area causing the subsoil of the site to be constantly flooded.
The scope of the project was to design and implement the following works:
• Site establishment and temporary site accommodation works
• Site clearance and enabling works
• Permanent office and welfare building construction works
• Bulk earthworks, drainage works and roadworks
• Retaining wall construction – both reinforced concrete and gabion baskets
• Installation of new test track and required points
• Construction of new sidings and Vehicle Static Testing buildings
• Construction of a new test platform
• Extensive ducting installation including depot lighting and under track crossings
• Testing and commissioning works
As part of the site works, there were critical elements required within the Operational Area of SPT’s depot, with the electrified 3rd rail. Given the level of security with the Operational Area of SPT, various meetings and discussions were held with them to ensure all our works were completed in accordance with the requirements of ’SPT Operational Working’. The works were executed safely, in accordance with the programme and Story were commended by SPT on their high level of professionalism when carrying out the works.
At the commencement of the project, it was known that the site contained ground gas readings of methane and other gases that were considered harmful to human health. In addition to this, there were pockets of asbestos material on site, which had to be removed to allow earthworks to continue.
Through a well planned and managed process, the works were completed with control measures in place to ensure no one was put at risk and the works were safely completed on programme.
Story were contracted to facilitate the design process as well as the construction phase, dedicating a significant amount of input to design meetings with Ansaldo STS to assist in providing the most efficient design possible in line with their requirements. Being an extremely complex system for the driverless trains, Story worked collaboratively with their designer and client to provide an efficient design solution within this challenging site.
The only access into site was extremely tight, being adjacent to a major intersection in the area. Due to the requirement for significant haulier movements for bulk earthworks and material deliveries, this access would have been unsuitable and unsafe for such a high volume of vehicles.
Network Rail
The project involved regrading approximately 280 metres of the embankment to enhance structural stability and improve rail safety.