Horbury Cutting Stabilisation

Brief Description

Horbury cutting is on the on the MVN2, Manchester Victoria to Hebden Bridge line. The extent of the works is situated on the DOWN cutting face between 44m 0440yds and 44m 0660yds which is located in Horbury, Wakefield. The work involves installation of approx. 2,500 m2 of rock netting, a minimum of 315 anchors at a minimum of 3m embedment and 120m2 of catch fence.

Summary of Works

Horbury cutting is on the on the MVN2, Manchester Victoria to Hebden Bridge line. The extent of the works is situated on the DOWN cutting face between 44.0440yds and 44m 0660yds which is located in Horbury, Wakefield.

Due to differing design requirements throughout Horbury Cutting, the site is split into 6 sub sites as shown on the plan below, with a mix of both active and passive solutions. There’s approx. 2,500 m2 of netting, including Maccaferri and TECCO mesh, a minimum of 315 anchors at a minimum of 3m embedment and 120m2 of catch fence to be installed.

The physical works commenced on the 3rd July and the programme which includes continuous Saturday night possessions from start to finish and 3 extended 52 hr blockades is on course to be completed on time on the morning of the 22nd December 2025.

In addition to the works on the DOWN, we have been able to incorporate further vegetation clearance and scaling works on the UP side, taking advantage of the planned possessions and site set up to provide efficiencies to the client.

Plan of Horbury Cutting

History of location

The rock cutting at this site has a history of instability with documented geotechnical inspections and remediation dating back to 1996. A rockfall event in December 2023 impacted the running line and subsequently led to more extensive inspections and reporting prior to the rock fall mitigation remedial design remit being issued in 2024. There had been a speed restriction for over 20 months imposed on the line due to the stability concerns, however, through collaborative working with both Network Rail and our supply chain, we were able to provide mitigation to high risk areas which enabled Network Rail to lift the restriction and have trains running at line speed by the end of August.

Challenges

One of the main challenges is the location of properties in relation to the worksite and the discontinuities within the rock we’re attempting to secure netting to. Not all rock that would ideally be removed can be due to the public right of way and properties above and sound rock in which to secure the netting is limited. We’re currently working with the designers and our suppliers to test alternative methods which include mechanical fixings rather than grout or resin for securing the anchors to the rock and have agreed to relocate the crest fence to enable additional scaling works to be carried out.

Other challenges include:

Anchors encroaching on the footprint of neighbouring property boundaries (below ground level) which Network Rail have agreed to put easements in place for upon completion of the works.
A coal seam being present at cutting 1 which has meant a consent was required from the coal authority with additional mitigation such as gas monitoring in place during intrusive drilling works.
Providing protection of both 3^rd party property and assets on the infrastructure during heavy scaling and drilling works. As mitigation, we’ve worked with Network Rail to relocate assets such as signal post telephones where possible, provide adequate timber covers of the track and assets during heavy scaling works and we’ve installed remote monitoring nodes as well as carrying out regular visual inspections on 3^rd party properties to monitor movement

Innovation

CML have been using Senseive remote monitoring nodes on 3rd party properties, retaining walls and rock outcrops on the cutting to monitor any movement during the works. Senseive monitoring nodes record sub mm movement at a maximum frequency of 2 seconds, recording all movement on an online portal which is easily accessible. Reporting parameters, tolerances and frequency can all be adjusted depending on the site requirements and reporting procedure.