CMS Pozament materials for canal tunnel restoration

British Waterways' Standedge Tunnel located west of Huddersfield, is Britain's longest canal tunnel. Built 1794 - 1811 the 5.2km long tunnel had until recently been abandoned.

As part of a restoration scheme to re-open the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, which runs from Huddersfield to Ashton-under-Lyne, the canal tunnel is being completely restored. After removing approximately 35,000 tonnes of silt and debris, main contractors AMCO have had to strengthen 50% of the exposed rock sections of the tunnel's crown and side walls. Here, stainless steel rock bolts and stainless steel mesh is to be fixed to the unlined sections of the tunnel and spray concrete applied. Sections of the tunnel that are lined with masonry or brickwork have been pressure pointed or re-built in brickwork.

CMS Pozament, the specialist manufacturer of cementitious products has developed three sulphate resistant materials for the project. Two types of CEMROK 50 gunite materials are used - a general purpose material and a specially formulated mix containing steel fibres. Both products are designed to give increased early strength and reduced rebound. PPM 40 sulphate resistant pressure pointing mortar is used for repointing joints in the brickwork and a rapid setting hydro-reactive cementitious putty is used for pointing where water ingress is a problem. An estimated 2,500 tonnes of material will be used over the 18 months long project.

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