Windle Farm Cattle Creep

Background

Windle Farm Cattle Creep is a 100-year-old reinforced concrete 'cattle creep' that supports the A580 East Lancashire Road located approximately 600m west of Windle Island.

A cattle creep is a small, field-to-field access for farm animals, usually to allow passage beneath an obstacle such as a road, canal, or railway embankment. As they are intended primarily for cattle or other livestock, cattle creeps usually have a low head height.

The structure is reaching the end of its service life and recent inspections have highlighted that it is in poor condition with extensive defects to load-bearing elements. So, to safeguard road users, we are taking the opportunity to decommission the structure.

 

What we are doing

Replacing the tunnel would involve lengthy and expensive utility diversions, for example gas pipes, as well as extensive road closures. The structure has not been in use for many years so the option to decommission the tunnel is the quickest solution and removes all requirement for future maintenance - therefore offering the best value for money for the least disruption.

The decommissioning involves filling the structure with foamed concrete from road level via holes drilled through the top of the structure. Work will be undertaken from lane 1 of the A580, so to provide a safe working area and a safe zone for pedestrians to pass, however it will be necessary to implement lane closures throughout the duration of the project. 

We have consulted with ecologists and we will be providing a 'fauna tunnel' to ensure the safety of small animals, who may use the structure to get across the road.

These works are essential to the continued safety of our highway network, however, we apologise for the disruption and appreciate your patience. Due to the nature of the materials the foamed concrete must be placed in stages, so there will be times when there is minimal site presence while the concrete infill cures.

Road Closures and Traffic Management

Date from	Date to	Location	Traffic  Management
10pm 17th March	5am 18th March	A5208 Coopers Lane to A570 Rainford Bypass	Eastbound road closure
18th March	20th April	430m of A580 between Houghtons Lane and A570 Rainford Bypass	Eastbound lane 1 closure
10pm 2nd April	5am 3rd April	A5208 Coopers Lane to A570 Rainford Bypass	Westbound road closure
3rd April	20th April	430m of A580 between Houghtons Lane and A570 Rainford Bypass	Westbound lane 1 closure
10pm 20th April	5am 21st April	A5208 Coopers Lane to A570 Rainford Bypass	Full road closure

 

Please note:

1. The above dates are subject to such items as weather conditions and times and dates maybe revised due to unforeseen circumstances.
2. The above table will be updated at regular intervals, where applicable.
3. The link provided for the location is approximate and the working area will vary in each of the above scenarios. All users of the route should adhere to the traffic signs and temporary traffic management in place at that time. You can find more information on our Roadworks page