Helsby Station Footbridge

Client:
Network Rail

Project Type:
Bridge Deck Replacement, Temporary Works

Helsby Railway Station features a two-span footbridge, constructed circa. 1920, serving passengers to four platforms. The station is located in Cheshire, and lies on the Chester to Warrington Bank Quay, and Helsby to Birkenhead lines. Falling under a heritage station classification it is partly managed by the Railway Heritage Trust.

In 2014, Crouch Waterfall undertook an assessment of the structure directly for Network Rail, outlining several recommendations to remediate the bridge to its as-built condition. The existing deck was found to be in a poor state and had reached the end of its serviceable life. The survey also revealed significant loss of section to several metallic elements of the footbridge.

Prior to undertaking any permanent works to the structure, which will aim to fully restore the footbridge and extend its design life by a minimum of 25 years, Crouch Waterfall were additionally tasked by Network Rail to design a temporary deck replacement. The existing concrete deck was deemed too unsafe to continue in service and required a full alleviation of the pedestrian loading. A temporary solution of installing a raised FRP deck was proposed, which also involved temporarily extending the parapets to the required height along the full length of the deck. The solutions involved were bespoke and required site specific fabrication and installation.