As part of the ongoing upgrade works at Luton Station, our rail team were engaged to install 120 No. sheet piles across multiple platforms, on behalf of Story Contracting Limited. The sheets ranged from 3.5m to 5.5m in length and formed part of a temporary works design to facilitate the construction of three lift shafts and a new stairway.
Due to the high volume of activities taking place over the weekend, involving multiple contractors, it was essential that robust exclusion zones were established and strictly adhered to, further maintaining a safe working environment. In addition, several known buried services were identified within the platforms, requiring careful planning and precise installation techniques to safely navigate and avoid disruption or damage.
Building on these works, our specialist piling team also completed the associated foundation package for the scheme, overcoming several significant site and logistical constraints. Due to the restricted nature of the site and the limited availability of possessions, the original design was revised by the Van Elle design team to utilise smaller Super Kitten and D1000 drop hammer rigs.
As a result, the scope comprised of 46 No. 273mm and 6 No. 323mm steel cased driven piles (SCDP) working on multiple platforms simultaneously to ensure the works were completed ahead of programme.
The team effectively managed complex logistics throughout, including existing concrete obstructions and coordinating multiple mobilisations of plant and materials via RRVs, with access maintained across a poly bridge between platforms.
Pile installation was completed with concreting undertaken via boom pump and ready-mix concrete during weekend possessions, incorporating multiple spliced reinforcement cages.
These works support the Government’s ‘Access for All’ programme, which will deliver a new footbridge, three lifts and stairway to improve accessibility across the station.
To learn more about our integrated works across our divisions, visit our website.