Heavy duty pile cropper for A417 “missing link”
National Pile Croppers (NPC) is supplying its latest 1.5m pile cropper to support major infrastructure work on Gloucestershire’s A417 "missing link" project, a £460 million effort aimed at improving traffic flow and safety on a key route between the Midlands and South of England.
The A417 Missing Link project, led by Kier on behalf of National Highways, involves building a 3.4-mile dual carriageway to connect the A417 between Brockworth and Cowley. This upgrade addresses a congested single-lane stretch that frequently forces motorists onto unsuitable local roads. Kier began initial works in 2023, with completion anticipated by early 2027, and a full handover to National Highways expected by 2028.
For this complex undertaking, NPC has provided Kier with a 1.5m diameter Heavy Duty CFA Cropper, specifically developed for large, augered piles with diameters ranging from 300mm to 2,000mm. The cropper, engineered with input from NPC’s technical team based on feedback from contractors, is designed to minimise downtime on demanding schedules, as NPC director Lee Aston explained: “Our Heavy Duty CFA links have a new and improved design to help achieve minimal downtime while meeting strict project timelines.”
The A417 upgrade will feature new bridges, crossings, and key road realignments. New infrastructure includes Gloucestershire Way, Cowley Overbridge, and Stockwell Farm Overbridge, where NPC’s cropper is central to preparing concrete piles efficiently and safely. Aston noted that NPC’s equipment has been highly effective, saying, “The croppers being used to prepare piles on the Missing Link scheme are fully backed and supported by the National Pile Cropper team.”
Beyond pile cropping, NPC is set to continue its support with equipment for various pile types throughout the project’s phases. NPC’s QXXL and Quad Large croppers will handle contiguous and secant piles, using four synchronised rams to safely cut and hold large pile sections for removal to designated areas.
Environmental considerations are central to the A417 scheme. Excavated material, including 1.5 million cubic metres of rock and 300,000 cubic metres of topsoil, will be repurposed across the project site to reduce carbon impact. The existing A417 will be repurposed as paths for cyclists, walkers, and horse riders, alongside new green infrastructure including woodland and hedgerow planting to enhance biodiversity.
The A417 Missing Link project is expected to improve connectivity between the Midlands, Gloucester, and the South, reducing congestion and enhancing local infrastructure for surrounding communities.
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter
