Case Study — Newton Heath, Manchester

Newton Heath
Metrolink

High-Capacity Drainage Renewal on Greater Manchester's Light Rail Network

Light RailTrough & Stacker1-in-1000-Year Design

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Project Overview

As part of Transport for Greater Manchester's £150 million network improvement programme, Rosehill Drainage System (RDS) formed the drainage core of Aqua Fabrications' Track Enhancement Drainage System (TED) during a major drainage renewal at Newton Heath Depot.

Working alongside Story Rail and InoRail Design, the project replaced ageing drainage infrastructure beneath one of the busiest sections of the Metrolink network. The modular drainage system was selected to provide high-capacity water storage, rapid installation during limited possession windows, and a more sustainable alternative to traditional drainage construction.

The installation demonstrates how modern drainage systems can improve network resilience while reducing maintenance requirements and embodied carbon.

The Challenge

Insufficient capacity — existing drainage infrastructure was no longer providing the performance required
Tightly controlled rail possessions meant water management had to be improved without extending possession windows
Repeated rail loading required a system that could withstand dynamic loads while maintaining hydraulic performance
Operational light rail environment demanded programme certainty throughout construction
Long-term resilience — the solution needed to reduce maintenance while supporting future climate resilience

The Solution

Rosehill Drainage System incorporated into Aqua Fabrications' Track Enhancement Drainage System (TED)
Approximately 210 metres of modular drainage installed beneath the track
Stackable drainage modules provided significant water storage within a compact footprint
Lightweight recycled rubber components simplified handling and installation compared with conventional materials
Rapid modular installation during planned engineering possessions, integrating with the wider track renewal works

210m

Modular drainage
installed beneath the track

1:1000

Year storm design
with 40% climate allowance

20+

Tonnes of waste
diverted from landfill

14t

CO₂ emissions avoided
vs concrete construction

Results

Improved drainage capacity across a critical section of the Metrolink network
Climate-resilient design: accommodates rainfall events up to 1-in-1000-year storms with 40% climate change allowance
More than 20 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill through the use of recycled rubber
Approximately 14 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided compared with equivalent concrete drainage construction
Reduced maintenance requirements through a durable, modular drainage system
Successful integration within one of the largest rail infrastructure programmes currently underway in Greater Manchester

Why It Matters

Rail drainage is often constrained by limited construction windows, restricted access and the need to minimise disruption to passengers.

By combining Rosehill Drainage System with Aqua Fabrications' TED system, the Newton Heath project demonstrates how modular drainage technology can deliver greater hydraulic capacity, faster installation and lower embodied carbon without compromising long-term performance.

As rail and light rail operators continue to adapt infrastructure for increasingly intense rainfall, modular drainage solutions provide a practical approach to improving network resilience while reducing whole-life costs.