Black Bridge, Anglesey, Wales, UK

Project Overview

For the first time ever, a railway bridge in Wales has been raised away from rising river waters to prevent flooding on the track. Black Bridge, on the Cambrian Line, near Machynlleth now stands one metre taller than before, after Network Rail engineers and contractors AmcoGiffen worked day and night to lift it away from a river flood zone. AmcoGiffen chose Dura Composites to provide safe, non-metallic Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) structural beams and grating for the newly raised bridge deck and CESS walkway, which provides a safe area for authorised workers to stand when trains approach. Dura Composites specialise in the design, supply, fabrication and installation of advanced GRP products and have a wealth of experience in the Rail Sector. In this project, the client specification mandated the use of standard mesh grating with a Class B fire rating in accordance with BS EN 13501 as well as E23 grade GRP profiles.

Unlocking the power of composites for the rail sector.

As the only manufacturer-supplier on the market with these features in-built as standard into our range, Dura Composites was able to work closely with AmcoGiffen to ensure fast deployment of 38mm d² Dura Grating combined with Dura Profile Wide Flange Beams and Dura Angle as the supporting structure. The Dura solution delivered multiple benefits in terms of faster, safer and easier installation, reducing time on site, therefore reducing disruption, and providing cost savings versus traditional materials such as steel beams and grating. The success of this high-profile resilience project will improve passenger journeys and secure the future of this vital transport link between Mid Wales and the rest of the UK.

Dura Composites’ are two time winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and have extensive experience in the Rail sector. The d² range of Dura Composites products for railway stations and trackside environments deploy unique patented designs and the latest composite technology to deliver the safest, most cost-effective and durable solutions on the market. Key benefits include a superb strength to weight ratio, lightweight, non-corrosive, non-conductive and a low maintenance lifecycle. With a wealth of detailed technical information based on real-world testing criteria, Dura Composites can provide extensive loading data, span information and technical drawings to support the document control system requirements for any project.

Raising Black Bridge

Raising Black Bridge successfully out of the flood zone as part of a £3.6m project to reduce passenger disruption was a railway first. The bridge had been closed for emergency repairs caused by flood water around 30 times in the last ten years, and ten times in 2020 alone.

Our Specialists

We’re helping to answer the major challenges facing Britain’s railway network such as capacity, reliability and efficiency. Talk to our experienced team about how you can tap into our specialist knowledge and engineering capability for your project.