26.07.2023

Eleven Potains to support HS2

UK contractor and civil engineer Sir Robert McAlpine is to install seven more Potain MR 225A luffing jib tower cranes on the Colne Viaduct section of the HS2 high speed rail line.

The new cranes join four other MR 225 As that are already working on the Viaduct, part of a 21.6 kilometre section of the project being built by the Align joint venture with Bouygues Travaux Publics and Volker Fitzpatrick.
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The first four crane at work

All 11 cranes will be installed on 17 metre towers and rigged with 50 metre jibs, providing a jib tip capacity of 3.25 tonnes, or handle 10 tonnes at a 25 metre radius. They will be used to lift concrete formwork and precast sections - 10 hours a day five days a week. The first unit was erected in June last year, and all 11 are expected to be off site by next March.
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HS2 is currently the largest infrastructure project in Europe, the Colne Viaduct - once completed - will be the longest railway bridge in the UK carrying trains 3.4 kilometres across a series of lakes and waterways between Hillingdon and the M25 highway on the outskirts of London.

Steve Wright of Sir Robert McAlpine said: "We have a longstanding relationship with Potain that continues to improve through collaboration and innovation. Our expectations are met from both teams to ensure we achieve our aims and objectives.”

Established in 1868, Sir Robert McAlpine has been involved in many significant projects over the years, from the original Wembley Stadium and the British Empire Exhibition to supporting the D-Day landings in Normandy. It currently has 55 tower cranes in its fleet.