Our brief:
The project aimed to answer three key questions:
- Was it justified to close the track for safety reasons?
- What risks would be involved with the repair works, and what would it take to reopen the track?
- Would the planned repairs fix the problems and prevent future issues occuring?
We were asked to approach this project on an advisory basis, with no physical works to be undertaken without the Client’s written permission. The Client also retained full ownership of the asset as well as decisions regarding the reopening of the line.
Challenges:
The stand out challenge of this project was coordinating a full track inspection on one of the most complex lines in the country, and within a very short timeframe.
This also wasn’t a routine inspection. It involved:
- Securing track possession – gaining exclusive access within a tightly regulated industry
- Mobilising a qualified team, including a Controller of Site Safety, Track Engineer and support staff
- Synchronising with our Client’s internal teams to align inspection timing with their operational requirements and future overhaul plans
- Navigating dependencies and constraints such as Network Rail line block requirements and documenting programme hold points.
Our delivery:
The project was successfully delivered as follows:
- Work package 1: Inspection, planning and execution
- We arranged possession of the line, coordinated team mobilisation, carried out visual and technical inspections, assessed its physical condition and identified safety risks
- As part of this process, we used an Amber Track Trolley to generate data to support our findings
- Work package 2: Reporting and risk assessment
- Following our site assessments, our team produced a detailed report which included itemised risk statements; supporting evidence with photographs; and an overall risk rating with justification
- We also made recommendations which included options for risk mitigation; a programme for timelines and hold points; acceptance criteria for any proposed remedial works; and consideration of line dependencies
- Included with the above was also a task prioritisation list for recommended corrective actions, to aid our Client’s decision-making process.
“Fishbone was chosen for this project based on a combination of our reputation and our expertise in rail infrastructure and asset management.
“Our successful completion was as a result of early team engagement and taking the time to understand what our Client really wanted to gain from this project:
- We immersed ourselves in their operational challenges
- We educated each other on the capabilities of all team members so we could accurately tailor our offering
- We also worked hard to maintain our reputation throughout, through being proactive, responsive and demonstrating professionalism at all stages.
This is an exemplar project for Fishbone – not only in our technical delivery but in how our team engaged with our Client to meet its brief and achieve the set objectives.”
Mostafa Gholami, Business Intelligence Manager, Fishbone
