Clacton Resignalling Scheme

Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL), has successfully completed a railway civil engineering design and build programme of works on behalf of partner Atkins Global, to support the upgrade the signalling systems in the Clacton-on-Sea area. 

The Clacton Resignalling Projects’ principle driver was 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 dated back to 1958 and utilised a lever frame dating from 1891. There was a mixture of semaphore and colour-light signals, controlled by a mechanical/electro- mechanical lever frame. There was also a mechanical ground frame at Clacton Station. The existing signalling equipment has been previously subject of life extension works in both 1996 and 2004.

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

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