Severn Valley Railway – Bridge 25

Buildings & Structures, Civil Engineering, Earthworks & Drainage, Water & Scour

Brief Description

Severn Valley Railway is a heritage line constructed in the 1840’s that runs between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth and spans approximately 16 miles. Bridge 25 is located approximately 3 miles south of Bridgnorth and forms a passage for Mor Brook to flow underneath the line and discharge into the River Severn. The site is located in a rural area with very limited vehicular access, with an 11kV overhead electricity line nearby.  In January 2025, the southwest wingwall of the bridge collapsed due to scour, which resulted in an embankment failure that left a 10-metre-long void underneath the track. The failure also caused 60% of the voussoir stones to collapse. Due to the severity of the failure the section of line had to be closed, meaning that the last 3 miles of the line to Bridgnorth Station was inaccessible leading to reduced visitors to the Severn Valley Railway. CML were commissioned to come up with a robust yet cost effective solution, that could be designed and built to enable the reinstatement of the running line back to full operation in time for the school summer holidays, one of SVR’s busiest periods.

Project Overview

CML successfully delivered complex structural and embankment repair works to restore and protect a heritage railway arch structure, ensuring long-term stability while maintaining the character of the site.

More than 2,500 tonnes of material were carefully removed from the track formation and embankment to relieve load and ensure equal weight distribution across the arch during the repair works.

Structural Reconstruction and Embankment Reinstatement

A new wingwall was constructed using Legato blockwork (supplied by Elite Precast Concrete) formed on a reinforced concrete foundation. Secugrid geomat reinforcement was installed at each course behind the wingwall and between layers of infill material to strengthen and stabilise the reinstated embankment.

In addition, a new spandrel wall was built using an innovative steel mesh system combined with Secugrid reinforcement and engineered backfill material, delivering both structural integrity and efficient installation.

Large precast concrete L-shaped retaining units were installed to secure the track area and were backfilled to formation level in preparation for track reinstatement. CML also supported the Severn Valley Railway with a team of volunteers to install the bottom ballast, with final track reinstatement undertaken by others.

Scour Protection and Heritage Restoration

To safeguard the structure against future scour risk, rock armour protection was installed to protect the newly constructed wingwall, along with additional rock placement to reinforce the existing, unaffected wingwall.

The arch soffit was strengthened using a Ram Arch mesh panel system, before the arch was reinstated in blockwork with traditional voussoir facades, ensuring the finished structure remained in keeping with the heritage setting.

The completed works provide enhanced structural resilience, long-term asset protection and a sympathetic restoration aligned with the historic character of the railway.

Stakeholder Management

Consents for both temporary and permanent works affecting the watercourse were identified at the early planning stages and obtained through the LLFA. A Licence to undertake a full fish rescue when installing temporary works was sought through the EA.

The haul road at track level adjacent to the rail is used by residents of a local cottage and the works were co-ordinated to keep the road accessible for the residents during the project. National Grid were contacted prior to commencement of works and mitigations for working near to and underneath their 11kv cables were agreed. The compound was also located by agreement in a third-party landowner’s field, and they were consulted and informed of all operations. The works were well publicised by SVR and also attracted a lot of attention from the local media.

Challenges

Access to site for the required plant and machinery to undertake the works was achieved by construction of an aggregate plant crossing over the brook with steel pipes embedded within it to maintain water flow through the crossing whilst diverting the flow from the collapsed wingwall area.

This was designed by CML’s in house design team and resulted in the creation of a ‘dry area’ for construction of the concrete foundation.

Various ecological constraints were identified during the Ecology Appraisal which were mitigated through precautionary methods of working supervised by a qualified Ecological Clerks of Work.

Successes

The Severn Valley Railway was re-opened as planned with the first train hauled by none other than ‘The Flying Scotsman’ with the CML team who were involved in the repair works, aboard the train. (Photo credit Jack Boskett).

Peter Plisner reporting on Bridge 25 Severn Valley Railway Embankment slip

Timelapse Video of Bridge 25 Severn Valley Railway Embankment slip

Further Images

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