A key route between Elland and Brighouse has re-opened following major repair work delivered by Esh Construction.
Park Road has been closed since February 2020 after a landslip caused by flooding severely damaged the road. Vertical movement of 300mm caused cracking over a 60-metre length of the road, as well as some smaller tension cracks, which meant that it had to be fully closed to all traffic for safety reasons.
Esh Construction’s civil engineering division was appointed to undertake the repairs required to stabilise the road in 2021, working on behalf of Calderdale Council.
The complex engineering works have included the installation of 157 deep bored piles and ground anchors, tied together with a concrete capping beam. Drainage improvements have also been made to help deal with future heavy rain.
Esh Construction’s Contracts Manager, Michael Sherrard, has overseen the major repairs since Esh commenced on site in July 2021. He said: “This project required a significant amount of ground investigation and movement monitoring before we could commence work to stabilise the highway. A complex programme of piling and ground anchor installation, along with the construction of a capping beam and a new drainage system to alleviate surface water run-off has been managed within a tight timescale to allow the road to re-open as soon as possible.
“We are pleased to bring the repairs to a completion and re-open this major route for road users and pedestrians.”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, Cllr Jane Scullion, said: “I’m really pleased we’re now able to reopen Park Road to traffic. We know how disruptive this long closure has been to people living or working around this area of Calderdale and for businesses along this road and we thank everyone for their patience.
“To get to this point has required a huge amount of complex engineering, with major ground investigation work, site clearance and the careful re-siting of utility cables required even before stabilisation work could begin. In addition to the necessary repairs, thought has also been given to ensuring the road is more resilient to future heavy rain.
“As the road reopens, we do ask motorists to take particular care on the route. The rural location of the road, coupled with the lengthy closure has meant that we have seen an increase in wildlife in the area. Please be careful and be aware of the potential for unexpected other road users!”
This project required a significant amount of ground investigation and movement monitoring before we could commence work to stabilise the highway. A complex programme of piling and ground anchor installation, along with the construction of a capping beam and a new drainage system to alleviate surface water run-off has been managed within a tight timescale to allow the road to re-open as soon as possible.”
