AMCO Rail is using an innovative scaffolding method to save over £9 million on a railway tunnel strengthening project in Liverpool.

The contractor has been appointed by Network Rail to upgrade the Victorian railway tunnel leading to Liverpool Central Station.

By installing an access platform secured to the tunnel walls 15 metres above the track, engineers can apply layers of water-sealing cement onto the ceiling while MerseyRail trains continue to run below.

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The concrete is applied using a robotic arm, which is much safer and more cost-efficient compared to traditional methods.

Adrian Bullock, Project Manager at AMCO Rail, said the technique has resulted in £9.5 million of taxpayer's money being saved on the project.

"We are doing 160 linear metres of tunnel line repair, putting a steelwork arch in with 300mm of concrete, which basically will see the roof become maintenance-free for the next 120 years," he said.

"Usually this work would cost £14m but doing it with this new system with a live operational rail underneath allows this work to do it for £4.5m."

The project is part of Network Rail's £40 billion Railway Upgrade plan to improve Britain's railway system.

(LM/JP)