River Ryton Viaduct and Chesterfield Canal Bridge – Y2 Bridge Beams

Client

Severn Trent Water (in partnership with Mott MacDonald Bentley Ltd)

Project Overview

As part of a significant upgrade to the Worksop Sludge Treatment Facility (STF) in Nottinghamshire, Severn Trent Water needed to create a new access road that would cross both the River Ryton and the historic Chesterfield Canal. Delivered through the e5 Alliance, this development aimed to transform a former sludge pellet store into a modern facility with improved access and operational capacity. The project required the construction of two key structures: the River Ryton Viaduct and a masonry-clad arch bridge, both designed to meet strict environmental and flood resilience standards.

The Client’s Challenge

Severn Trent Water faced the challenge of building a vital access route over environmentally sensitive land, while ensuring the new viaduct could withstand significant flood risks and minimise impact on the surrounding landscape. The project was under time pressure and demanded solutions that would reduce site disruption, deliver on durability, and support long-term infrastructure needs for the region.

Solution

ABM Precast Solutions collaborated closely with JN Bentley and Mott MacDonald to deliver a package of bespoke precast components that met the project’s technical and environmental requirements. Our contribution included:

✅ 24 precast bridge beams in Y2 and YE2 profiles, designed specifically for the viaduct’s medium-span application
✅ 8 cast-on stringcourses to support parapets and simplify deck construction

The Y2 and YE2 beams offered rapid installation and robust load-bearing performance, making them the ideal choice for this project. Offsite manufacture played a crucial role in accelerating the construction programme, reducing the need for site-based labour, and ensuring smooth delivery with minimal disruption. The viaduct’s design, approved by the Environment Agency, featured hollow parapets to allow safe overtopping during major flood events, balancing resilience with environmental sensitivity.

The Results

The River Ryton Viaduct was successfully completed and now forms a critical part of the new access road to the Worksop STF. The use of Y2 Bridge Beams enabled fast and efficient installation, which helped to control costs and minimise programme risks. The project has delivered long-term benefits for Severn Trent Water, enhancing wastewater processing capacity for the region and supporting future growth. Feedback from the project team highlighted the value of early collaboration and the effectiveness of offsite precast solutions in meeting demanding requirements.

Key Takeaways

This project showcases how ABM’s expertise in precast solutions, particularly with Y2 Bridge Beams, can help deliver resilient and cost-effective infrastructure upgrades. Strong teamwork, innovative design, and a focus on environmental sensitivity were key to overcoming the client’s challenges and ensuring the successful completion of a complex and high-profile scheme.