Crane and Boom Lifts Support Whitefield Tunnel Renewal
- Meagan Wood
- Dec 5, 2025
- 4 min read
30-Second Takeaway
Ainscough Crane Hire used a 230-tonne Liebherr LTM 1230-5.1 and two articulated boom lifts to replace historic roof beams inside the 145-year-old Whitefield Tunnel. The work was completed during a six-day rail closure to improve long-term safety and reliability on the Manchester Victoria to Bury line.
UK-based Ainscough Crane Hire deployed a 230-tonne Liebherr LTM 1230-5.1 to support renewal works inside Whitefield Tunnel on the Manchester Victoria to Bury heavy rail line in northern England. The project also utilised two articulated road-rail boom lifts to provide access within the tunnel and surrounding work areas.
The crane was used to remove existing iron roof beams and install new precast concrete replacements, with the critical lifting work completed during a six-day line closure.
Crane Configuration and Lifting Scope
The five-axle Liebherr LTM 1230-5.1 features an eight-section, 75-metre main boom, topped by an 11.5 to 20-metre bi-fold swingaway extension. With additional inserts, the crane offers a maximum tip height of 113 metres, allowing it to reach into the tunnel structure from restricted access points.
The crane lifted out deteriorated iron beams before positioning the new concrete beams into place, operating within tight spatial and logistical constraints.
Access Equipment and Work Window
Two articulated boom lifts supported the works:
48 ft Platform Basket RR14 Evo 2-400
49 ft Manitou ART 17 TH
The machines were used both inside the tunnel and externally, providing access for inspections, beam removal, and installation activities. All critical works were completed during the planned possession, with teams working around the clock.
Historic Infrastructure Renewal
Whitefield Tunnel, formally opened in September 1879, is approximately 145 years old. A recent investigation by main contractor Story Contracting identified cracking in one or more of the tunnel’s original iron support beams.
Given the tunnel’s age and condition, the decision was made to renew all roof beams. The tunnel runs beneath live utilities, including electric, fibre optic, gas, and water services, as well as a busy road, increasing the complexity of the operation.
Ian Davies, Network Director for Metrolink, said:
“Replacing beams in the 145-year-old tunnel was never going to be a simple task, and the close proximity of electric, fibre optic and gas lines, plus a water mains and the busy road, only added to the complex nature of the work. Thanks to everyone’s hard work, we completed the work and opened the track on time. We know work like this is disruptive to passengers, but it helps to make sure our tram network is safe, resilient and reliable for years to come.”
About Ainscough Crane Hire
Ainscough Crane Hire is one of the UK’s largest crane rental and contract lifting providers, operating a nationwide fleet of more than 500 mobile cranes. The fleet spans a wide range of capacities, from compact city cranes and truck-mounted units through to large all-terrain and heavy mobile cranes, allowing the company to support projects of varying scale and complexity.
The fleet is strategically positioned across the UK to support infrastructure, rail, utilities, industrial, and major construction projects, with a strong focus on availability, rapid mobilisation, and compliance with rail and highway requirements. Ainscough’s crane operations are supported by in-house lift planning, engineering teams, and CPCS-qualified operators, enabling the delivery of complex lifts in restricted, live, and safety-critical environments.
Ainscough has particular experience working within rail possessions, confined urban sites, and time-sensitive infrastructure renewals, where careful coordination between equipment, access methods, and programme constraints is essential.
Learn More: 🔗 https://www.ainscough.co.uk
About Liebherr
Liebherr Group is a family-owned global manufacturer of construction machinery and heavy equipment, headquartered in Germany. The company’s mobile and crawler crane division, operated by Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH in Ehingen, Germany, is one of the world’s leading producers of mobile and crawler cranes.
Liebherr’s crane portfolio includes mobile, crawler, tower, and maritime cranes, with lifting capacities ranging from approximately 40 tonnes to over 1,200 tonnes. Liebherr cranes are widely used in infrastructure renewal, industrial construction, energy, port operations, and heavy-lift projects, supported by a global service and support network.
Learn More:🔗 https://www.liebherr.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the tunnel work required?
An investigation identified cracking in the original iron roof beams within Whitefield Tunnel, prompting a full beam replacement to ensure long-term structural integrity.
Why replace all beams rather than individual ones?
Given the tunnel’s age and condition, renewing all beams provided a consistent structural solution and reduced the risk of future unplanned closures.
What challenges did the site present?
The tunnel runs beneath live utilities including electric, fibre optic, gas, and water services as well as a busy road, significantly restricting access and increasing lifting complexity.
Why was a 230-tonne crane selected?
The crane provided the required reach, capacity, and control to safely remove and install beams from constrained access points above the tunnel.
What role did the boom lifts play?
The road-rail boom lifts provided safe access for inspection, removal, and installation works inside the tunnel and at external beam locations.
Why was the work completed during a full closure?
The scope, lifting requirements, and safety considerations required a six-day possession to allow uninterrupted access and around-the-clock working.
