During an 8 week period in early 2016, works were undertaken to provide a temporary replacement to Pooley Bridge. The stone masonry arch bridge, at the foot of Lake Ullswater, was washed away during Storm Desmond in December 2015.
The Pooley Bridge project required rapid mobilisation to install a temporary modular steel bridge and associated works to replace the original stone masonry arch bridge at the foot of Lake Ullswater. The bridge was washed away during Storm Desmond in December 2015, disconnecting the village and local businesses.
Story Contracting were commissioned at the beginning of February 2016 to install the temporary modular steel structure, that was being supplied by Mabey Hire, in time for the Easter trade.
On-site within 1 week
of being commissioned
Bridge built and launched
in just 2 weeks
The main work phases included:
The Pooley Bridge works involved the installation of a sheet pile cofferdam and gabion wall, producing the new East abutment, with placement of lightweight concrete to create a foundation for the reinforced concrete abutments.
A milestone was reached on Sunday 28 February as the nose section was successfully guided into position with the help of a 200T crane situated on the East approach. Final sections of the bridge were then built on the west bank and pushed over and the lightweight nosing removed.
Temporary approach ramps were then constructed to lift and realign the carriageway to bridge level including alterations to drainage, kerbing and footpaths.
The final layout provides a single carriageway under traffic light control with a dedicated 1.5m wide footway on the downstream side of the deck.
The works also included minor repairs to carriageway erosion within an SSSI along the lakeside.
This was a complex job on a challenging timeframe but through the support and co-operation of a wide range of stakeholders we were able to open the bridge one week ahead of schedule.
The success of this project was celebrated by over 1000 people who turned up for the opening ceremony. The team were also congratulated by HRH Prince Charles who visited the site just before Easter.
A huge success in terms of project management and delivery. A real feather in the caps of all those involved.
BAE Systems
Story Contracting were contracted by BAE Systems to carry out the project which was a mixture of civils and building works to prepare the site for the new University of Cumbria facility.
Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)
Story Contracting were contracted by Landmarc to carry out the project to construct a new 1214m2 industrial style training building for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) within the Catterick MOD base.
Holmen Iggesund
In 2021 Story were appointed to assist the design team to produce the most efficient construction sequence to carry out the construction of a new Effluent Treatment Plant at the Iggesund factory in Workington, Cumbria.