'Thunderbirds are go!’ for Lenton Lane tram bridge

State-of-the-art ‘Thunderbirds elevator’ style transporters will drive a new bridge over the railway and into position in Lenton this weekend (Sunday 24 February).

Measuring 46 metres (in length) and weighing 640 tonnes, the new steel Lenton Lane Bridge, is the second of five impressive structures to be installed by Taylor Woodrow Alstom, as part of the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) extension to Chilwell via the QMC and Beeston and Clifton via Wilford.

Over a period of four months, the bridge has been constructed in a site compound at the nearby Lenton Lane Industrial Estate. It is now ready to be driven into position using four 40-wheel vehicles called Self Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs). The SPMTs will drive the bridge across the railway and lift it up onto concrete supports either side of the tracks. Trains will be suspended while this work is carried out at the Lenton South Junction of the railway.

The drive-in installation has been carefully planned to coincide with scheduled Network Rail engineering works between Derby and Nottingham to minimise disruption to rail passengers. Further information on these works can be found on the National Rail website: www.nationalrail.co.uk in the service disruptions section.

Martin Carroll, NET Phase Two Project Director for Taylor Woodrow Alstom, said: “With this work, the Structures team will meet another key milestone. Only two weeks ago the team handled the Station Bridge launch and are now using another technically challenging technique to position this bridge. They will work in three shifts over the possession of the railway line, which has been meticulously planned to be carried out in 15 minute increments, to ensure we hand back the track before the rail possession ends.”

Councillor Jane Urquhart, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transport at Nottingham City Council, added: “Lenton Lane Bridge marks another significant milestone in the project to deliver a world-class tram network for Nottingham.

“Not only is the NET extension providing a fast, reliable and sustainable alternative to the car, but it is also boosting the local economy, creating jobs and employment opportunities and transforming key areas of the city and beyond.”

People can watch the action unfold from the road bridge on Lenton Lane, where a special viewing area will be cordoned off.