Project Overview

Joseph Gallagher Ltd was appointed by Taylor Woodrow following the award of the £18m contract to upgrade White Hart Lane Station. The scheme formed part of wider station improvements to increase accessibility, reduce congestion and enhance passenger movement within a historic railway environment dating back to 1872.

Scope of Work

Joseph Gallagher was responsible for the construction of a new pedestrian underpass through the existing Victorian viaduct, providing step‑free access between both sides of the railway while maintaining train operations throughout the works. The scope included:

Viaduct strengthening and stabilisation works
Underpinning of existing foundations
Installation of a pipe canopy beneath live track
Box‑jacking of two precast concrete culverts beneath the railway
Completion of works within strictly controlled rail possessions

Technical Overview

The project was technically challenging due to its location beneath a live railway, its conservation constraints and limited working space. Prior to underpass construction, significant strengthening works were required to ensure the stability of the existing viaduct.

These works included king post walls, post‑tensioned ties for lateral restraint and additional underpinning. A thermal early‑age strength system, inflatable grout bags and rapid‑setting concrete were used to meet structural requirements while reducing programme duration.

The pipe canopy was installed just 400mm beneath sleeper level during possession works, supported by specialist engineering solutions and bespoke plant supplied by the Joseph Gallagher Group.

Box Jacking Operations

A key element of the project was the box‑jacking operation, undertaken during tightly controlled rail possessions. Working collaboratively with Taylor Woodrow, the jacking design was refined to minimise risk and maximise productivity for the installation of two precast concrete box culverts. During a critical 50‑hour possession, the team:

Deconstructed the drive‑side king post walls
Excavated and jacked both boxes into position
Removed reception‑side king post walls
Completed grouting and curing works
Handed the railway back safely 1.5 hours ahead of programme

Delivery & Outcomes

The project was delivered through close collaboration, specialist in‑house expertise and access to group plant and engineering resources. Safety and quality were prioritised through Joseph Gallagher’s LIFE (Living Incident Free Everyday) programme, aligned with Taylor Woodrow’s zero‑defects philosophy.

The works were completed safely, efficiently and to a high standard, providing a permanent step‑free pedestrian link while ensuring the continued safe operation of the railway throughout the project.