Wigan-Bolton electrification. Construction updates only please

[jonesy3001]

Shame they can't do the platforms while they're at it, wonder how long it will be til they find a contractor to do the electrification works.
That's if the buckingham group did start piling.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

So I am confused. Are they cracking on with the work or has it come to a standstill?

 

[Winthorpe]

So I am confused. Are they cracking on with the work or has it come to a standstill?

Work restarted today (26th August). There is an article about it in the local press:

Work restarts on Wigan bridge replacement project after contractor stopped trading

Work on a major bridge replacement project in Wigan was due to resume today, after the appointment of new contractors.

www.wigantoday.net

Work restarts on Wigan bridge replacement project after contractor stopped trading​

Work on a major bridge replacement project in Wigan was due to resume today, after the appointment of new contractors.

Staff from Buckingham Group had been working on the demolition and replacement of a road bridge on Ladies Lane, Hindley, since March as part of the £78m programme to electrify 13 miles of track between Lostock Junction and Wigan North Western.

But they downed tools last Friday when the firm filed a notice to appoint administrators, due to “deep losses and interim cash deficits” on four major projects, including the redevelopment of Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium.

It was a real blow for people living in Hindley, who have faced long diversions for months due to the closure of Ladies Lane.

The reopening date had already been pushed back from Friday, July 14 and they were looking forward to the project being completed on Friday, September 1.

Network Rail said work was “postponed” last weekend, but it was still “aiming” to reopen the road on time.

The firm has now appointed a new contractor to finish the work – though there was bad news for residents counting down to the reopening of Ladies Lane.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Since the announcement about Buckingham Group last week, we’ve been working hard to find a way for work at Ladies Lane in Hindley to continue.

"With the project so close to completion we’ve made it a priority to find an alternative contractor, with J Murphy and Sons now appointed to finish off the work at Ladies Lane. They will start on site today.

"The unexpected delay does mean the road won’t reopen as planned on September 1, but we will be working hard with the new contractor to get the work completed as soon as we can.”

The work at Hindley station forms part of the programme to electrify the railway line between Bolton and Wigan and has seen the bridge on Ladies Lane being demolished and rebuilt so there will be space for the overhead wires needed.

The platforms at the station are being extended to increase capacity for passengers and cater for longer trains.

 

[507020]

They will certainly be in prime position to complete the work, but the state of the works will need to be assessed first.

It would seem reasonable that they cannot take over the work without first establishing the present state of it, but have they been appointed the new contractor and are carrying out their assessment, or have they been hired only to carry out an assessment and leave the works unfinished?

 

[td97]

So I am confused. Are they cracking on with the work or has it come to a standstill?

It seems J Murphy have been instructed to continue the Ladies Ln bridge work, otherwise Network Rail will be fined for overrunning. The rest of the civils scheme is likely on hold.
As I understand, Buckingham were the civils contractor but VolkerRail are also involved (possibly track or signalling related), and SPL as the OLE contractor.
VolkerRail and SPL are contracted to NR (not subcontractors of Buckingham), so their work should be unaffected.

 

[jonesy3001]

Are the new contractors only doing the bridge or the full electrification and platform works on the line?

 

[standish1]

Are the new contractors only doing the bridge or the full electrification and platform works on the line?

We assume there will be a delay in rebuilding the bridge at Ince Station if Buckingham are responsible for this work.

 

[WatcherZero]

Network Rail have confirmed Hindley bridge reopening as September 3rd so it only slipped two days, less than the time tools were downed.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Network Rail have confirmed Hindley bridge reopening as September 3rd so it only slipped two days, less than the time tools were downed.

Well that is fantastic news.

 

[DJH1971]

Well that is fantastic news.

Just remains to be seen what the overall delay of the full works will be.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Just remains to be seen what the overall delay of the full works will be.

technically there should be very little but nothing like unexpected bad news to give a legitimate reason to delay commissioning

 

[Gricer99]

LADIES LANE BRIDGE - OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION RECEIVED AT 10am YESTERDAY!

Dear colleague,

As you may be aware, eight days of construction time was lost between Buckingham Group ceasing trading and J. Murphy and Sons being contracted to complete the work at Ladies Lane, Hindley. Our new contractor has assessed the work completed by their predecessor and is making good progress with the remaining work.

The lost time has impacted the reopening of Ladies Lane slightly and the road closure will now be removed on the 3rd September. The road will be open to traffic only and pedestrians will continue to use the temporary footbridge, whilst we complete the footpaths.

We expect news on the appointment of administrators or the sale of Buckingham Group within the next week. Once we know the outcome and are able assess the impact on the rest of the project further updates will be shared with you.

NETWORK RAIL

 

[jonesy3001]

LADIES LANE BRIDGE - OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION RECEIVED AT 10am YESTERDAY!

Dear colleague,

As you may be aware, eight days of construction time was lost between Buckingham Group ceasing trading and J. Murphy and Sons being contracted to complete the work at Ladies Lane, Hindley. Our new contractor has assessed the work completed by their predecessor and is making good progress with the remaining work.

The lost time has impacted the reopening of Ladies Lane slightly and the road closure will now be removed on the 3rd September. The road will be open to traffic only and pedestrians will continue to use the temporary footbridge, whilst we complete the footpaths.

We expect news on the appointment of administrators or the sale of Buckingham Group within the next week. Once we know the outcome and are able assess the impact on the rest of the project further updates will be shared with you.

NETWORK RAIL

Going 50/50 then, they could carry on with the project or it might get cancelled.

 

[swt_passenger]

Going 50/50 then, they could carry on with the project or it might get cancelled.

I don’t recall any infrastructure project already in progress being cancelled due to a contractor failing? Is anybody else aware of an example?

 

[jonesy3001]

I don’t recall any infrastructure project already in progress being cancelled due to a contractor failing? Is anybody else aware of an example?

Wouldn't be surprised knowing the government and the way they treat the north, but that's just me being skeptical.

 

[DJH1971]

I don’t recall any infrastructure project already in progress being cancelled due to a contractor failing? Is anybody else aware of an example?

Nope

 

[Gricer99]

Ladies Lane - Hall Lane is scheduled to re-open today, 3rd September at 5pm for vehicular traffic.
There will be single lane traffic lights until the 16th October. Pedestrians will continue to use the temporary footbridge.

The bridge will also have overnight closures from 8pm-5am for a number of weeks whilst all work is completed….

Monday night 11th Sept - Thurs night 14th Sept (4 nights 8pm - 5am)

Monday night 18th Sept - Thurs night 21st Sept (4 nights 8pm - 5am)

Monday night 25th Sept - Thurs night 28th Sept (4 nights 8pm - 5am)

Monday night 2nd Oct - Thurs night 5th Oct (4 nights 8pm - 5am)

 

[roy.hocknull]

Just to let everyone know, I have just driven over the bridge!! It has temporary lights to allow traffic in one direction at a time.

 

[cuemaster]

Just to let everyone know, I have just driven over the bridge!! It has temporary lights to allow traffic in one direction at a time.

The locals will be relieved the road is finally open again after several months closure..

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

I don’t recall any infrastructure project already in progress being cancelled due to a contractor failing? Is anybody else aware of an example?

the administrators will be looking to novate the contract to minimise liabilities

 

[jonesy3001]

The kier group have taken over the buckingham group rail division, looks like the works will carry on.

Kier acquires Buckingham Group’s rail division

04/09/2023

www.kier.co.uk

 

[DJH1971]

The kier group have taken over the buckingham group rail division, looks like the works will carry on.

Kier acquires Buckingham Group’s rail division

04/09/2023

www.kier.co.uk

Hopefully not much of a delay then?

 

[InOban]

I understand that the Rail division was quite viable. The financial difficulties arose from a number of contracts to build football stadia and the like.

 

[standish1]

That is good news about the Kier Grooup. We assume they will be starting on the rail bridge at ince station soon.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

I understand that the Rail division was quite viable. The financial difficulties arose from a number of contracts to build football stadia and the like.

NR largely looks after its contractors as it wants to promote longer term arrangements which means accepting you need to make a profit even if its generally only a few percent.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

NR largely looks after its contractors as it wants to promote longer term arrangements which means accepting you need to make a profit even if its generally only a few percent.

That is an exceedingly refreshing approach and very sensible.

 

[gingertom]

Would hope as many as possible of the Buckingham staff impacted by the collapse are taken on by Keir to continue with their good work.

 

[swt_passenger]

Would hope as many as possible of the Buckingham staff impacted by the collapse are taken on by Keir to continue with their good work.

180 staff transferred into Kier according to the page linked in #411. But presumably many of their onsite workers will be self employed?

 

[td97]

LCN/06 - Chulsey Gate O/B - 14973/22: https://paplanning.bolton.gov.uk/on...s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=RL2Y0NDE01200

Chulsey Gate Lane bridge is scheduled for reconstruction from 18/10/23 to 03/05/24. Hopefully the Buckingham situation will be sorted in time.

 

[snowball]

Chulsey Gate Lane bridge is scheduled for reconstruction from 18/10/23 to 03/05/24. Hopefully the Buckingham situation will be sorted in time.

Roger Ford's assertion (mentioned in #125 and a number of times since) is looking wide of the mark. He said the number of bridges needing to be reconstructed had been reduced to one for clearance and two for condition.