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ABM supplies precast beams for River Ryton Viaduct

By Richard High, 04 June, 2025
Three bridges - a new masonry clad bridge, with the original 18th century bridge and the new bridge seen through its span - on the River Ryton, in Nottinghamshire. Image: ABM Precast Solutions. The new masonry clad bridge, with the original 18th century bridge and the new bridge seen through its span on the River Ryton, in Nottinghamshire. Image: ABM Precast Solutions.

ABM Precast Solutions has supplied a series of precast concrete beams for the River Ryton Viaduct—one of two critical structures forming the new access road to the Worksop Sludge Treatment Facility (STF) in Nottinghamshire.

Working with contractor JN Bentley and engineering consultant Mott MacDonald, ABM provided 24 precast bridge beams in standard Y2 and YE2 profiles, alongside eight cast-on stringcourses. These bespoke components were designed and manufactured to meet the specific design and durability requirements of the viaduct, which spans the River Ryton in Worksop.

The new access road, developed as part of the wider STF project, crosses land owned by the Osberton Estate. Designed with sensitivity to the surrounding environment, the route features two major crossings: the River Ryton Viaduct and a masonry-clad arch bridge over the historic Chesterfield Canal.

A masonry-clad arch bridge over the historic Chesterfield Canal, one of two critical structures forming the new access road to the Worksop Sludge Treatment Facility (STF) in Nottinghamshire. Image: ABM Precast Solutions. The masonry-clad arch bridge over the historic Chesterfield Canal, one of two critical structures forming the new access road to the Worksop Sludge Treatment Facility (STF) in Nottinghamshire. Image: ABM Precast Solutions.
The masonry-clad arch bridge over the historic Chesterfield Canal, one of two critical structures forming the new access road to the Worksop Sludge Treatment Facility (STF) in Nottinghamshire. Image: ABM Precast Solutions. The masonry-clad arch bridge over the historic Chesterfield Canal, one of two critical structures forming the new access road to the Worksop Sludge Treatment Facility (STF) in Nottinghamshire. Image: ABM Precast Solutions.
The masonry-clad arch bridge over the historic Chesterfield Canal, one of two critical structures forming the new access road to the Worksop Sludge Treatment Facility (STF) in Nottinghamshire. Image: ABM Precast Solutions. The masonry-clad arch bridge over the historic Chesterfield Canal, one of two critical structures forming the new access road to the Worksop Sludge Treatment Facility (STF) in Nottinghamshire. Image: ABM Precast Solutions.
The masonry-clad arch bridge over the historic Chesterfield Canal, one of two critical structures forming the new access road to the Worksop Sludge Treatment Facility (STF) in Nottinghamshire. Image: ABM Precast Solutions. The masonry-clad arch bridge over the historic Chesterfield Canal, one of two critical structures forming the new access road to the Worksop Sludge Treatment Facility (STF) in Nottinghamshire. Image: ABM Precast Solutions.
The original 18thC bridge over the historic Chesterfield Canal with the masonry-clad arch bridge seen through the middle arch. Image: ABM Precast Solutions. The original 18thC bridge over the historic Chesterfield Canal with the masonry-clad arch bridge seen through the middle arch. Image: ABM Precast Solutions.

The viaduct was engineered to withstand significant flood risks. With approval from the Environment Agency, the structure was designed to maintain water flow with minimal obstructions and features hollow parapets to allow overtopping during one-in-one-hundred-year flood events. The superstructure uses a four-span layout with six 18m-long beams per span.

“The Y2 and YE2 beams are standard precast bridge units designed for rapid installation and efficient load-bearing performance on medium-span structures,” said a spokesperson for ABM. “The cast-on stringcourses—precast concrete strips along the beam edges—support parapets and streamline deck construction.”

The use of offsite precast components accelerated the construction programme and minimised site disruption. The beams were installed quickly and efficiently thanks to close collaboration across the project team, helping reduce cost, programme risk, and site-based labour.

The new River Ryton Viaduct. Image: ABM Precast Solutions. Working with contractor JN Bentley and engineering consultant Mott MacDonald, ABM Precast Solutions supplied 24 precast bridge beams in standard Y2 and YE2 profiles, alongside eight cast-on stringcourses for the new River Ryton Viaduct. Image: ABM Precast Solutions.
Working with contractor JN Bentley and engineering consultant Mott MacDonald, ABM Precast Solutions supplied 24 precast bridge beams in standard Y2 and YE2 profiles, alongside eight cast-on stringcourses for the new River Ryton Viaduct. Image: ABM Precast Solutions. Working with contractor JN Bentley and engineering consultant Mott MacDonald, ABM Precast Solutions supplied 24 precast bridge beams in standard Y2 and YE2 profiles, alongside eight cast-on stringcourses for the new River Ryton Viaduct. Image: ABM Precast Solutions.
The underside of the new River Ryton Viaduct. Image: ABM Precast Solutions. Working with contractor JN Bentley and engineering consultant Mott MacDonald, ABM Precast Solutions supplied 24 precast bridge beams in standard Y2 and YE2 profiles, alongside eight cast-on stringcourses for the new River Ryton Viaduct. Image: ABM Precast Solutions.
Concrete Y beams on a lorry. ABM Precast Solutions supplied 24 precast bridge beams in standard Y2 and YE2 profiles, alongside eight cast-on stringcourses for the new River Ryton Viaduct. Image: ABM Precast Solutions.
YE2 concrete beams on the back of a lorry. ABM Precast Solutions supplied 24 precast bridge beams in standard Y2 and YE2 profiles, alongside eight cast-on stringcourses for the new River Ryton Viaduct. Image: ABM Precast Solutions.

The River Ryton Viaduct forms part of the infrastructure enabling long-term upgrades to the region’s wastewater processing capacity. “We’re proud to have supported the River Ryton Viaduct project with high-quality precast solutions,” the ABM spokesperson added. “Offsite manufacture continues to play a vital role in delivering resilient and cost-effective infrastructure across the UK.”

ABM Precast Solutions, based in Nottinghamshire, specialises in complex precast systems including bridge beams, culverts, tunnel linings, and bespoke structural units for UK infrastructure projects.

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