Birtley – Rayden Civil Engineering

“Work to improve the dual carriageway next to the Angel of the North”

As part of the Northern Gas Networks relocation of their Birtley Site, Rayden Engineering were contracted to expose and relocate the buried network. Rayden Engineering engaged NTS (UK) to carry out the Design and Supply of their excavation supports.

In order to facilitate the improvement and widening of the A1 Birtley to Coal House main road and the replacement of Allerdene railway bridge, Northern Gas Networks (NGN) were requested by Highways England, to divert their pipelines – The scheme consists of the diversion of assets and the relocation to the south of the existing A1.

This includes diverting four existing gas pipelines: 450NB High Pressure (HP) steel main, 450NB Intermediate Pressure (IP) steel main, 355NB Medium Pressure (MP) steel main, 150NB Low Pressure (LP) spun iron main.

A new Above Ground Installation (AGI) is being constructed on the south side of the A1.

The new AGI will include a connection, to facilitate a future Compressed Natural Gas filling station. Two new District Governors are to be installed within the existing AGI compound, to the north of the scheme, to provide gas to the Team Valley Trading Estate and the Low Fell area of Gateshead.

A new intermediate pressure pipeline is being diverted underneath the A1, via a micro tunnel, which includes reception/receiving shafts.

NTS (UK) have designed and supplied clear span excavations up to 12m x 12m, using a combination of 4m long KD4 trench sheets, MH Brace and System 30 (Medium Duty Hydraulic Brace).

Entry and egress to the temporary works is made via the NTS ladder platform along, incorporating the davit arm rescue system.

Highways England: A1 Birtley to Coal House flythrough