A 17-year-old trainee engineer has been praised for the vital role he played in a landmark railway bridge replacement project.
Alex Nicholson is learning his trade at Carlisle-based Peacock Precision Services and worked alongside colleagues as they supported large national construction firms Kilnbridge and Skanska on demolishing and replacing a 137m railway bridge over the M6 at Clifton, near Penrith.
The £60m project saw Network Rail remove the existing West Coast Main Line bridge between junctions 39 and 40 on the motorway and replace it with a new structure.
Alex, who joined Peacock from school less than 15 months ago, helped set out the positions of the concrete precast, reinforce the existing piers and abutments of the original bridge, add steel into the structure and prepare the new bridge’s core holes.
Kieron Peacock, managing director of Peacock Precision, praised the teenager for his diligence, professionalism and growing knowledge of the industry – and his desire to complete all tasks to the highest possible standard.
Kieron said: “Being asked to work on a £60m railway bridge replacement project which will impact thousands of motorists and rail passengers each day may faze some, but Alex showed maturity and incredible ability to complete a high quality job.
“Since joining the company fresh from school, Alex has shown great enthusiasm to develop his skills and a natural talent for engineering, and he deserved the opportunity to put his abilities to test on a large-scale project.
“The Clifton bridge job was a high profile, technically demanding project, and I knew I could trust him to deliver a great service. His understanding of the industry, willingness to learn and pride in his work meant he played a vital role in this project.
“We are proud to have had Alex represent the company in such a positive and impressive manner. For somebody so young to demonstrate the skills he has learnt despite likely being the youngest person on site is amazing, and we’re excited to see Alex flourish and develop his career further.”
The replacement of Clifton Railway Bridge was a major project which resulted in part of the M6 motorway being closed to motorists over two weekends earlier this month, and no rail journeys running between affected sections of the West Coast Main Line.
Being involved in such a development has given Alex valuable hands on experience, working alongside experienced professionals in a live construction environment.
Alex said: “I’m incredibly proud to have worked on the Clifton Railway Bridge project. To be part of something of this scale at 17 is an opportunity I’ll always be grateful for.
“At the time, I was just doing the job I had been asked to do but it’s only now when I look back that I realise it was a huge honour to get the opportunity to work on a £60m project. I feel very fortunate to have been involved.
“Knowing the team trusts me to work on such a major development is a huge confidence boost so early in my career, and it’s a great feeling that my boss acknowledges my abilities.”
