Major repair works to a County Durham road which was impacted by a landslip have been completed by Esh Construction. The installation of concrete piles and reinforced capping beams has now stabilised the road allowing it to be used safely by the general public.
The B6300, Browney Lane at Burnigill Bank, was closed in July 2022 by Durham County Council to allow repairs to a landslip next to the East Coast Mainline, which runs adjacent to the road.
Esh’s civil engineering division delivered the scheme on behalf of the council, with work including excavation of the damaged road surface and the installation of 184 concrete piles up to 18 metres below the existing road level to stabilise the carriageway. Five reinforced capping beams were installed before the carriageway was reinstated. Additional works included surface water drainage, kerbs, safety barriers and fencing.
Steven Garrigan, Divisional Director at Esh Construction, said: “This was a very challenging scheme to deliver due to difficult ground conditions, continued ground movement and poor weather conditions. However, working collaboratively with our client, the designers and our subcontractors we were delighted to overcome these challenges and re-open the road as programmed before the new year.
“As a local contractor we committed to procuring local supply and labour, as such 70 per cent of the project value was re-invested within 30 miles of the site.”
Cllr John Shuttleworth, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural communities, highways, and community safety, said: “We are pleased to have now fully reopened Burnigill Bank after the very essential work to ensure the road was safe to use following the landslip.
“We know this route is an important link for residents and businesses, so we would like to thank everyone for their patience while these necessary works were carried out.”
As part of Esh Construction’s commitment to delivering social value throughout the scheme, a £3,000 donation was made to a local community group in Ferryhill via Esh’s Greener Communities programme. Esh also delivered three employability sessions at Parkside Academy in Willington and site visits were facilitated for students from Leeds University and apprentices from Durham County Council.
This was a very challenging scheme to deliver due to difficult ground conditions, continued ground movement and poor weather conditions. However, working collaboratively with our client, the designers and our subcontractors we were delighted to overcome these challenges and re-open the road as programmed before the new year.”
