As part of the Thameslink Programme, the railway systems for London Bridge was completely remodelled to suit a new layout at London Bridge station and provide substantial capacity improvements to enable proposed current and future operational timetabling, this is referred to as the N421 Project.

The complexity of managing, staging and delivering the railway systems in order to meet the remodelling programme, has necessitated a requirement for the railway systems infrastructure to be surveyed, in order to confirm its suitability and whether further upgrades and rectifications will be required.

To support these works, Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL) has been awarded a lineside survey contract by long-term customer BAM Nuttall, to undertake the necessary investigation and reporting of 44No Signal Gantries and their associated containment, which includes but is not limited to the following scope:

1. Structural condition surveys in relation to original Form A requirement for painting
2. The condition and positioning of cables on the structures including
   1. The position of cables relative to associated tray work/containment (particularly noting areas where cables have no associated containment)
   2. The type of signal cable (B or C)
   3. An assessment of cable slack (or tension)
   4. Any visible damage to cables
   5. Any serrated edges on tray work/containment that could potentially cause damage to cables
   6. Any structure concerns
   7. Tagging and tracing of cables to ensure end to end point identification
   8. Condition and suitability of the use of cable management to secure cables to containment in contrast to the existing Civils As-Built design

On completion of each survey GRCL will review and discuss the photos and observations with the BAM team at a weekly Technical Interface Meeting and determine one of the following:

1. An agreed scope of residual works (with no further survey requirements) or,
2. The requirement for further detailed ‘tag and trace’ surveys

GRCL will produce final survey reports, documenting the findings, associated agreements and will include any recommended remedial works to be undertaken, whereby GRCL can be instructed to complete the remedial scope.

Project Manager Barry Smith, is leading Global Rail Construction Limited’s in-house team of self-delivery experts, who will be covering all disciplines including Civil & Structural Engineering, Signalling and E&P.

Surveys are already underway and there are a number of Signal Gantries already completed, some remedial works instructed and on-going, with further awaiting instruction shortly.

MD Marco Lombardelli added this:

“Delighted to be awarded this multi-disciplinary package of works from our esteemed client BAM. The full suite of internal expertise will be managed and delivered by our in-house staff, something that we are immensely proud of.”

Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL), has been awarded a railway civil engineering design and build programme of works on behalf of Atkins Global. Clacton Re-signalling’s principal driver is the asset condition of the interlocking and associated track infrastructure at the throat of Clacton-On-Sea station.

Much of the signalling in the area dates back to 1958 and utilises a lever frame dating from 1891. There is currently a mixture of semaphore and colour-light signals, controlled by a mechanical/electro- mechanical lever frame. There is also a mechanical ground frame at Clacton Station. The existing signalling equipment has been the subject of life extension works in 1996 and 2004.

Many components are obsolete and only available on a repair and return basis. Most of the existing location cases have considerable corrosion. The signalling uses some single-cut circuits which are the subject of ORR concern. Searchlight signals are installed on this line, with known Wrong Side Failure (WSF) modes. P-Style relays in the lower portion of the box have been recognised as susceptible to sliver migration. So these works, will look to minimise maintenance and reduce whole life costs.

GRCL’s civil engineering contract covers the provision of a full site-setup, all necessary management and supervision, materials, plant and delivery to the point of construction. The scope consists of the following elements:

• Vegetation clearance
• Design and Build of 1No Location Staging Platform
• Design and Build of 11No Signal Foundations (mixture of concrete and piled solutions)
• The installation of other ancillary railway civils including location hardstanding’s, RRAP’s, cable routes and a Relocatable Equipment Building foundation base and associated works (Design by Atkins)
• Site Clearance and Waste Recovery throughout construction and upon completion

Managing Director, Marco Lombardelli added:

“This is a fantastic award for the UK team.

“Utilising our railway design and construction capabilities in civil and structural engineering, we look forward to the successful completion of these important works, in order to upgrade the signalling systems in the Clacton-on-Sea area.

“This is another collaboration with our partner Atkins Global, and we look forward to many more.”

We are pleased to announce that Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL), has been successful with its tender for the Designer Tier 2 Framework Agreement with BAM.

The design team provided a compelling offer, evidencing the following:

• How safe design and specifying has been previously achieved on its projects;
• The organisation’s in-house design and railway engineering capacity;
• How engineering assurance has been applied to previous projects;
• How digital approaches are integrated into its work;

GRCL also provided some initiatives in relation to provisions for diversity and inclusion across the business and some working examples of how inclusivity has made a difference.

The contract will extend throughout Network Rail’s Control Period 6 (CP6), covering BAM’s Southern Multi-Disciplinary (SMD) Framework and GRCL will be providing Design services on a call off basis for a five-year period.

Delighted GRCL Design Manager, Richard Horsted added:

“This is great news and testament to the efforts of the entire team. We have made impressive strides with our design and consultancy development recently, and this latest success is reward for the fruits of our labour.”

Our design and consultancy division constantly adapt to new technology and innovation.

State-of-the-art 3D CAD systems are used to assist with analysis and design, providing significant advantages for clients by lowering project costs and reducing programmes timescales.

Our in-house activities include:

• Civil engineering and structural design
• Mechanical, electrical and power design
• Telecoms design
• CAD drafting and design including 3D modelling
• Independent design reviews

In these extremely challenging times, both Ivan and I would like to share our heartfelt support and solidarity with you and your families. At Global, the health and safety of our worldwide colleagues, customers, partners and the communities in which we serve is our number one priority. We have a legacy of responsible business and we are committed to doing all that we can to keep everyone safe and healthy, every day.

We are extremely proud of and grateful to all our committed teams who deliver every day to ensure business continuity. We have been taking strict precautions to protect them and their families, while maintaining customer service. Many of our rail, telecoms and construction works and of course our 24/7 emergency crews are essential, as we play an important part in maintaining and enhancing critical infrastructure. As a result, we have made extensive contingency plans to secure our supply chain and ongoing business. We are following the advice of all governments and public health authorities, and have proactively implemented a range of precautionary measures, from stringent sanitation and cleaning protocols, to workplace distancing, and a worldwide travel ban, by putting our people first.

Team GIG, thank you for your continued endeavour and trust and please do stay safe.

Best Regards,

Marco and Ivan

Our Irish and UK businesses have successfully completed re-certification audits of their respective company Health, Safety and Quality Management systems.

Both Global Rail Services Limited (Ireland) and Global Rail Construction Limited (UK) included a challenging migration audit from OHSAS 18001 to the new Occupational Health and Safety Standard ISO 45001:2018.

Global Rail Services also successfully completed an audit of their ISO 9001:2015, which provides continuation of their ISO 9001 certification.

The Irish audits also covers the projects of GRA Networks Ireland – our Irish Telecoms Division.

Both UK and Irish businesses received no non-compliances – a fantastic achievement.

Our Global Family in Australia – Global Rail Australia Pty Limited and GRA Networks Australia – are just commencing the same migration process and we hope to report their progression very soon.

Co-Owner Marco Lombardelli added:

“Thanks to everyone involved for your continued support of our countrywide management systems, and a special mention to those of you who were directly involved in the audits conducted at our sites and respective Hatfield and Dublin offices.

“Your efforts are appreciated – keep up the good work.”