FP McCann’s Large Diameter Precast Concrete Pipes play a major role in M42 Link Road project

Status: Completed

Location: Junction 6 of the M42 motorway at Bickenhill near Solihull

Products Supplied: FP McCann 1200mm Large Diameter Reinforced Concrete Spigot & Socket Pipes

Main Contractor: Skanska UK

Water Mains Diversion Works: G&V Gallagher (On behalf of Amey/Severn Trent Water)

Market Sector: Drainage

FP McCann has recently supplied 56 no. 1200mm id reinforced precast concrete spigot and socket pipes to mains water diversion works being undertaken as part of a major new road link scheme off junction 6 of the M42 motorway at Bickenhill near Solihull.

Having almost reached its capacity, the junction has become a bottleneck causing delays on the Birmingham motorway and trunk road network.

The main £143 million contract with Highways England is being delivered by Skanska and includes a brand new junction 5a, a new 2.4 kilometre dual carriageway link road and two new roundabouts on either side of the M42 motorway itself. Work on the major road project started early in 2021 and on completion in 2024, it will significantly reduce traffic congestion at peak periods.

Along with a number of utilities infrastructure diversions associated with the work, is the requirement for the rerouting of mains water pipes beneath the new dual carriageway link road off Junction 5a. Severn Trent Water and its strategic alliance partner Amey has employed the services of Hertfordshire based utilities civil engineering specialist G&V Gallagher to undertake the work.

The standard large diameter 1200mm precast concrete pipes procured via civils merchant Burdens and delivered from FP McCann’s Ellistown factory in Leicestershire, are being laid 6 metres below the new link road to form a protective sleeve to house the mains water pipes. There are two 70 metres long runs of concrete pipe carrying the mains pipes. This will enable the mains water to flow uninterrupted if maintenance is required on one pipe run.

Backfilling of the 1200mm precast concrete pipes has incorporated the ‘As Dug’ excavated material in combination with a ‘Class B’ granular bedding 180º to the pipe haunches. The use of large diameter reinforced precast concrete pipes on such schemes can significantly reduce the requirement for imported primary aggregate: This together with on-site ‘As Dug’ material use, delivers lower carbon footprint benefits compared to plastic pipe alternatives where a full surround ‘Class S’ granular bedding is specified.

Speaking on behalf of G&V Gallagher, Director Vivian Gallagher says, “Working alongside the extensive M42 junction improvement scheme is a challenge. We chose FP McCann’s large diameter 1200mm id pipes as the inherent strength and below ground loading capabilities of reinforced precast concrete gives them a distinct advantage over large diameter plastic pipe alternatives. This is one of the largest highway schemes we have worked on and those in our supply chain including FP McCann are helping to successfully deliver the overall project on time to Highways England.”