Well done to the Rail Services team for recently completing the installation of a new Road- Rail Access Point (RRAP) at the track access point at Sheepcotes Lane, in Battersea, helping to improve the safety and efficiency of the railway infrastructure in Wessex and Sussex. The RRAP allows heavy rail plant to access the route that connects Waterloo and Clapham Junction, two of the busiest stations in the country. The project took six months to complete and was delivered in collaboration with Network Rail, who we support to enhance the railway for both passengers and maintenance staff.
The project involved constructing a concrete hard standing area for material unloading, along with a concrete ramp that connects road to track level. Additionally, sheet piling was installed to reinforce the trackside embankment. Road vehicles can now deliver machinery directly to the track, where it is driven up the ramp and then along the new STRAIL unit. This enables the seamless transfer of equipment from road to rail, allowing for efficient unloading and placement of machinery onto the rail tracks, ready for the maintenance teams to immediately use.
To ensure that the ramp and access point would be suitable for a wide range of equipment and plant, the team collaborated with our Network Rail colleagues and designers for 6 months, followed by the construction phase, which was completed at the end of June.
Whilst carrying out the works, the team recognised that the large area surface placed with concrete, would have water runoff and would need extensive drainage, deep excavations and incur more costs. To help save maintenance time and cost for our customer, the team sourced a modular geogrid solution, Truck Cell, which is a form of permeable surfacing component strong enough to cope with the plant and vehicles whilst sufficiently allowing water to drain off the surface.
This project marks an important step in providing safe access for maintenance workers, well done to everyone involved for your safe and efficient delivery of this key project and going that extra mile to look after our customer.
