Steve Woodger

Railway Contractual DOOM! As many of us are aware this time of year the contractual work goes slightly quiet, but with CP7 we may be in for a slightly longer pick up time of contractual work. This is the perfect time to UPSKILL and perhaps MULTISKILL! But HOW? Many of us just followed our friends or colleagues into our trades. You may of got into the railway through the jobcentre or correction centres but yet have been given zero guidance on the different choices and decisions you'll have to face when it comes to your career paths. The Railway industry is notoriously poor at career path guidance and with thousands of contractors being left to "figure it out" on their own, CR feel like its time we take a new approach at this issue. Within the App for contractors you'll be able to see outlined career progression paths with examples of expected wages and expected experience in the knowledge field you wish to progress into. You'll be able for the first time be able to plan your career path in the comfort of requirements. For example; your personal work in deregistration has gone quiet but you notice there is an influx of LXA's required within your geographical area. So you can switch the app over to training mode and you'll be able to see what the requirements for the LXA course are, the expected wages after completing the course and you'll also be able to see the course providers within the app to which you'll be able to contact directly. The Railway Industry is modernising, so lets train our workforce together @ www.connected-railway.com

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Core Highways has recently joined the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), and we’re excited to share more about what this means for us! Who is CECA? CECA, or the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, is the leading body representing companies that work every day to deliver, upgrade, and maintain the UK’s infrastructure. With over 300 members across England, Scotland, and Wales, CECA represents businesses that account for over 80% of civil engineering work in the UK. CECA advocates for these firms, sharing their expertise with clients, government, and the media, and supporting members in delivering over £15 billion worth of work annually. What Does This Mean for Core Highways? Joining CECA brings Core Highways a range of benefits, including networking with Tier 1 clients, influencing industry standards, and gaining valuable insights into future project pipelines. Recently, Simon White, our Managing Director for Major Projects & National Clients, welcomed Paul Santer, the CECA South West Regional Director, to our Torquay office. Since 2020, Simon has also chaired CECA’s National Highway Maintenance Group, representing members in the term maintenance sector. During their meeting, they discussed Core Highways’ new brand, recent project successes, and how CECA membership will support us in developing key partnerships and connecting with clients across the highways, utilities, and broader construction sectors. Simon commented on this development: “Having chaired CECA’s Highway Maintenance Group since 2020, I’ve seen first-hand the great work CECA does to represent civil engineering firms. I’m delighted that Core Highways has joined CECA across England and Wales. We look forward to building new relationships and actively contributing to the delivery and maintenance of the UK’s essential infrastructure.” #ceca #infrastructure #industrystandards #civilengineering #strongertogether

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We have enjoyed working with Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA Joint Venture Old Oak Common project team providing human factors expertise as part of their plan for continual improvement. We have undertaken an independent assessment of several critical areas of project risk controls; - refreshing the induction to be more engaging and impactful, which helps with transfer and retention of key project messages - refinement of the setting to work processes from Daily Activity Briefings, cascading through supervisors to frontline team leaders so that critical risk information is communicated without overload (or missing information) to support positive perception of risk - introduction of coaches to develop site supervisor skills in the workplace - utilise data in relation to behaviours to confirm the effectiveness of health and safety learning (identification of learning inputs, transference, comprehension checking and embedded learning) Plus delivering accident and incident investigation training including human factors! Philippe Galley, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA Old Oak Common Project, HSEQ Lead says "It has been very easy to work with Gateway. One of the best aspects was the adaptability to our specific needs, but also the knowledge they displayed in human factors, behaviour and investigation techniques." We have published a short case study on our work at Old Oak Common on our website. Follow the link to find out more. https://lnkd.in/es972f-d Dr Shelley Stiles Clare Richardson CMIOSH #humanfactors #safety #health

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Driving large-scale construction projects to successful completion requires clear communication, structured performance management, and effective problem-solving. One of our previous projects involved supporting a major infrastructure programme delivering a new rail line for London and the South East. Key outcomes: • Improved on-time delivery with predictive metrics to track milestones • Enhanced cross-functional collaboration, breaking down silos and aligning teams • Faster, data-driven decision-making, reducing delays and improving efficiency • Successful, on-time handover of critical project elements By implementing Visual Performance Management and Lean problem-solving techniques, we helped streamline communication, improve decision-making, and ensure the achievement of project milestones. Interested in learning how our solutions can transform your organisation? Read more: https://lnkd.in/etvfz2HZ

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Another example of Barrett Civil Engineering FRC - BBV HS2 Carol Green Underpass - great example of innovation and our growing Network Rail interface capabilities.

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Government ducks Lower Thames Crossing decision A government decision on planning permission for the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing project has been postponed for at least another seven months. CGI of the northbound portal of the proposed Lower Thame Crossing It is now clear that when Keir Starmer in opposition said “we choose the builders, not the blockers” he was talking only about house-building. Major shovel-ready infrastructure projects ready to boost the economy are either being scrapped or kept in the starting gates. Now we have confirmation that the government is wobbly on the biggest road building project in the programme, the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing scheme. The decision on the application by National Highways under the Planning Act 2008 for the A122 Lower Thames Crossing development consent order was due on Friday 4th October. On Monday 7th October transport secretary Lousie Haigh confirmed press reports that she was not yet ready to make a call on the controversial project. She has extended her deadline for making a decision to 23rd May 2025. The previous government had already extended the deadline for a decision by three months once, to push it back to after the general election. Now Haigh says she is parking it until next May because she wants more time to decide. In a written statement, Haigh said: “Under section 107(1) of the Planning Act 2008, a decision on an application must be made within 3 months of receipt of the examining authority’s report, unless the power, under section 107(3), is exercised to extend the deadline, and a written ministerial statement is made to Parliament announcing the new deadline. “The examining authority’s report on the Lower Thames Crossing development consent order was received on 20th March 2024. The current deadline for a decision is 4th October 2024, having been extended from 20th June 2024 by way of a written ministerial statement, dated 24th May 2024. “The deadline for the decision is to be further extended to 23rd May 2025 in order to allow more time for the application to be considered further, including any decisions made as part of the spending review. “The decision to set a new deadline is without prejudice to the decision on whether to grant the application development consent.” The Lower Thames Crossing has been in the works for 35 years, since Margaret Thatcher's transport secretary Paul Channon’s Roads for Prosperity white paper in 1989. The project as currently planned involves the construction of a twin bored tunnel under the River Thames to the east of Tilbury and Gravesend, plus 14.3 miles of new roads to link it to the M25 and A13 (to the north of the river) and the M2/A2 (to the south). At a length of 4.3km it would be the longest UK road tunnel and with a diameter of more than 16 metres, the widest tunnel in Europe. https://lnkd.in/enw-KdPm

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15 firms join Network Rail £3.5bn Eastern partnership to ‘streamline’ infrastructure works Network Rail has announced 15 firms that make up a partnership to “streamline” delivery of £3.5bn of #infrastructure works in the Eastern region during the five years of Control Period 7 (CP7), 2024-2029. The Eastern Routes Partnership (ERP) features the 15 firms split into four Lots, outlined below. 🔶Lot 1 – #Buildings and #Civils Generalist: AmcoGiffen, #Bam, Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure, Story Contracting Limited Specialist: Taziker (Structures), CK Rail (Geotech) 🔶 Lot 2 – #Signalling and #Telecoms Generalist: Amey, AtkinsRéalis Specialist: #Trackwork (Signalling), #Hawthorne (Telecoms) 🔶Lot 3 – #Contactsystems Generalist: Amey, Keltbray Specialist: Morgan Sindall 🔶Lot 4 – #Distribution and #Plant Generalist – Keltbray/Linbrooke Services Ltd Partnership, Octavius Infrastructure Specialist: Lowery Ltd The ERP will allow Network Rail’s Eastern region to award infrastructure improvement works directly to supply chain partners, which will improve #collaboration and #efficiency according to the rail operator. After being in place throughout CP7, there will be the option for the ERP to extend through CP8 (2029-2034). “Building this stability between the region and its partners means the supply chain will already be on-board when the work bank for CP8 is developed,” Network Rail stated. It added that by having this framework in place the need for individual procurement events is removed. This will save “valuable time” and ensure the Eastern region’s work is better value for money, while also allowing for earlier collaboration between the region and its partners on each project. The Eastern region accounts for almost a third (31.2%) of route km in England, stretching from #London to the #Scottish border, encompassing cities such as #Newcastle, #Leeds, #Sheffield, #Derby, #Norwich and #Cambridge. It looks after more than 1bn passenger journeys annually on routes including the #Midland Main Line and the East Coast Main Line. Network Rail managing director for Eastern region Jake Kelly said: “This launch is the culmination of two years of hard work to bring real innovation to our commercial delivery in CP7. The ERP framework is key to effectively maintaining our infrastructure to deliver a sustained improvement in train performance over the next five years." Keltbray Group CEO Darren James said the company was “delighted” to be appointed on two Lots and that it is part of the company’s “strategic plan to position Keltbray as a leading infrastructure services provider in the rail and broader decarbonised transport sector”. Octavius Infrastructure managing director rail Matt Smith said that the company’s appointment “continues to build on our strong relationship with Network Rail” and that the company is “proud to be supporting the country’s vital infrastructure, connecting millions of people every day”.

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In the highly competitive tender environment for major UK rail improvement schemes, Network Rail sets ever tighter deadlines and efficiency targets. To stand out and win contracts, demonstrating enhanced value is key. Checkpoint Authority – the only digital solution that streamlines authorisation, safety communications, and oversight, providing quantifiable proof of added project value. By integrating this innovative technology, proactive contractors can showcase significant productivity boosts and swift issue resolution. • Highlighting the time and cost efficiencies gained through the app’s capabilities can differentiate your tender. Eliminated process delays, overhead reductions, and enhanced compliance contribute to a more compelling bid. • Once selected for projects, supervisors and workers can spend more time on value-adding activities like inspections and task completion, delivering bottom-line benefits well beyond the tender stage. • Compliance with safety standards and responsible governance demonstrates a contractor’s ability to complete complex projects on schedule. By selecting Checkpoint Authority, your tender becomes the best value choice, demonstrating measurable efficiency and innovative processes. Book a Checkpoint Authority demo today and set yourself apart from the competition. Optimise your processes and maximise results for any Network Rail tender. [email protected] #CP7 #NetworkRail #RailIndustry

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Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board formed to develop proposals for high-speed link A new #LiverpoolManchester #Railway Board has been #established to develop #proposals for a new high-speed railway to link the two cities as part of #NorthernPowerhouseRail (#NPR). Announced at the #UK #RealEstate #Investment and #Infrastructure Forum (UKREIIF), on Wednesday 22 May, early plans for the railway include #transformational investment in city centre stations in #Liverpool and a modern, underground station at #Manchester Piccadilly - an option that had been highly contested for inclusion in High Speed 2 (#HS2) Phase 2, prior to its cancellation. The new high-speed rail line would run through new stations at Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Airport, connecting the Investment Zones in Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester via prime development sites. Following the scrapping of the northern legs of HS2, the #government invited the two #mayors to advise on the best solution for improved connectivity between Liverpool and Manchester as part of the NPR scheme. This informed the government as it set out its “next steps” for NPR back in March and this board is a continuation of that work. On the 200th anniversary of the formation of the original Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company, which oversaw the construction of the world's first inter-city passenger railway, the mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region, Andy Burnham and Steve Rotherham, launched the board and set out their preferred options for improvements to rail infrastructure linking the North West’s two largest city-regions. The new Board will be chaired by the two mayors with the leaders of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, and Liverpool City Council, Liam Robinson, serving as vice-chairs. Local Authorities along the route will be involved with the planning as well as the Port of Liverpool, Manchester Airports Group and other stakeholder organisations. The board will now look to work with the government and engage with the private sector to help build the business case for the new line. Expressions of interest are being invited from private sector partners who are interested in engaging with the board. It is hoped that this could be the start of reinstating the whole of the once-promised NPR line, with Craig saying “we also need to see Northern Powerhouse Rail delivered in full, from Liverpool to Hull - with an underground Manchester Piccadilly station at its heart -and improved north-south rail connections to ensure adequate capacity”.  

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Network Rail invests £33 million to stabilise a critical section of the East Coast Main Line 🚧 Near Browney Curve in Durham, engineers have been working since September 2023 to address ongoing land movement that could lead to major disruptions in passenger and freight services due to landslips. 🔧 Key project highlights: Pile Installation: 529 piles, up to 25 meters deep, are being driven into the ground. The 400th pile has already been installed! Drainage Improvements: Enhanced drainage systems are being implemented to prevent waterlogging. Embankment Reshaping: The embankment is being widened and regraded for improved stability. Environmental Measures: New trees and wildflower meadows are being planted to help stabilise the ground. The project is now 75% complete and is expected to wrap up this autumn, with final land reshaping continuing until spring 2025. The work is being carried out in collaboration with contractor Story, with piling progressing at six piles per day. 🛤️ Jon Calvert, Network Rail’s portfolio delivery director, stated: "Keeping the railway running safely and smoothly is what we’re here to do, and it’s paramount for us to take proactive action like here at Browney Curve to prevent problems before they happen. This is a mammoth worksite, the largest of its kind in Network Rail’s Eastern region, and our engineers are working tirelessly to secure the East Coast Main Line for the future. It’s a huge achievement to have done this while causing minimal disruption to this vital rail route, which will soon be better protected for passengers and freight for years to come."

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“Naturally good at maths” vs “discipline, focus and tenacity”. I like the post by Emma Russell highlighting the ‘soft’ skills that make a professional a professional. These skills are not soft as in soft, soggy or squidgy. They are soft as in subtle, sensible and steadfast. Do not underestimate what it takes to be an engineer. While maths is a good skill to have it is not the whole story. This is #civilengineering. This is #professionaldevelopment

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Successful railway project completed involving Geobear technology and expertise.

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Helping Clients Move Forward After Patrick Parsons' Closure. OES Consulting is Ready to Assist The recent news of Patrick Parsons’ closure has left many clients searching for solutions to continue their projects without disruption. We have already been approached by clients seeking assistance, and we extend this offer to anyone else affected. OES Consulting stands ready to step in and provide the support needed to keep your project on track. Why Choose OES Consulting? With over 25 years of experience, OES Consulting offers a respectful, client focused approach to engineering solutions. Our team has successfully navigated challenging stakeholder dynamics, ensuring all voices are heard and respected, leading to efficient outcomes. We understand the urgency of keeping projects moving and are fully equipped to assist clients affected by Patrick Parsons' closure. If your project has been impacted, here’s how we can help: Project Continuity: We assess your project quickly, ensuring no loss of momentum or quality. Tailored Solutions: Every project is unique. Our bespoke engineering services, including structural and code engineering, fit your needs. Collaborative Approach: We work seamlessly with contractors and stakeholders to minimize delays. Innovation and Creativity At OES Consulting, creativity drives our fresh approach to projects. We combine civil and structural expertise with cutting-edge software solutions to ensure accuracy, sustainability, and cost effectiveness. We embrace new technologies to deliver outstanding results. Our Core Values Our core values, trust, respect, ambition, and creativity shape how we work every day. Trust is earned through reliability and transparency, and we are committed to delivering on our promises. Our ambition drives us to take on visionary projects, always striving to go the extra mile for our clients, whether it's a large-scale project or a technical challenge. Ready to Help More Clients We are already supporting clients following Patrick Parsons’ closure and are ready to help others. If your project has been impacted, our team is here to ensure continuity and help you achieve your goals. Visit our website: https://oes.engineer Call us: +44 (0)121 285 1980 Together, we’ll ensure your vision becomes a reality, delivered successfully.

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What are your current #recruitment challenges particularly in the #rail, #infrastructure & #geo sectors? Jo Hall has been speaking with our clients and key things that seem to be coming out are: 1️⃣ Projects/works moving slowly. New work is out there which is positive but not yet there so making decisions around recruitment is tricky and a different 'plan' maybe necessary 2️⃣ When recruiting , can get vast amounts of interest; however still lacking those profiles/candidates you really want/need. 3️⃣ High number of candidates being lost during the process/ not getting the candidates you want to commit at the end of the process. Would you agree with this? What are your experiences with recruitment currently? #SELECTTALENT

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HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd could potentially extend from London Euston to Crewe, as Phase 2a of the project is reportedly being reinstated following a government policy reversal. The government is re-evaluating the cost-benefit analysis to push the railway beyond Birmingham, with an official announcement expected in 2025. This development could ease network bottlenecks, according to rail planning consultant #WilliamBarter, who views it positively. The ongoing narrative surrounding HS2 has seen various policy shifts under different governments, impacting its fate. Phase 1 progresses between Old Oak Common and Birmingham, while discussions on the connection to Euston continue. The divided Phase 2, with sections 2a and 2b, promises enhanced rail connectivity if fully reinstated, a development eagerly awaited by Crewe Town Council for its local impact. High Speed Rail Group chair Dyan Perry emphasised the importance of private investor support for sustained growth, calling for commitment to significant rail projects. Additionally, mayors advocate for a Midlands-North West Rail Link, proposing a new railway between the West Midlands and Manchester, privately funded and operating at 300km/h speed. The group includes Greater Manchester mayor #AndyBurnham and former West Midlands mayor Andy Street, chaired by former Network Rail CEO #DavidHiggins. The potential extension of HS2 to Crewe marks a significant development in the UK's rail infrastructure, with a focus on enhancing connectivity and sustainable growth through private investment and strategic partnerships. Stay tuned for further updates on this transformative project. Read more: [https://lnkd.in/epZ5bQCH] New Civil Engineer

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The Chenab Rail Bridge 🎢 in Reasi district will soon see trains running on it. Soaring some 359 m above the Chenab River, it is the highest rail bridge in the world. The bridge is a fine example of human intelligence. This engineering marvel will help overcome daunting geographical obstacles to create a landmark of modern infrastructure and connectivity.🚇🇮🇳 #indianrailway #infrastructure

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During the Morgan Sindall Rail Roadshow for CP7 Wales & Western, a refresher on Protecting People was presented, with one of our commitments being: All Colleagues Feel Safe To Speak. Exiting Network Rail’s office, I picked up a bright green card, with the word SHUSH printed in big bold letters. It was a campaign from Samaritans encouraging people to be better listeners and stood for: Show You Care Have Patience Use Open Questions Say It Back Have Courage It goes hand in hand that to feel safe to speak you also need an environment where someone is willing to listen. I researched this further, Network Rail state in 2023/24 there were 276 suicides on the rail network, thats over 3 suicides every 4 days. But there is also hope, and despite the above fact, there were also 1,937 incidents where a suicide was prevented on the railway following intervention from rail employees, the police or public. Therefore, of the 2,173 suicide attempts, 87% were mitigated through having the courage to speak up and talk to a stranger. This confirms that the various mental health campaigns do work to promote awareness through society, but also highlights we should not be complacent, and we can all do more to look out for the people around us. And a reminder to everyone, you are not alone, there is always someone to talk to, despite sometimes having difficulty finding the right person. https://lnkd.in/e7K7CUxu #networkrail #MentalHealthFirstAid #MHFA #morgansindall

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NPP’s specialist Construction, Property and Liability teams can arrange cross class coverage for each stage of your resource industry’s asset lifecycle including early construction site establishment, the main project build, testing and commissioning into ramp up and full commercial operation. Each of our respective teams have experience in a breadth of industry sectors and are familiar with the insurance solutions available which require specific industry, product, and market knowledge to achieve the most successful result. Our team work collaboratively with you and with each other through each stage of an asset’s lifecycle to deliver a seamless offering to brokers and clients, enabling tough decisions to be made confidently and conveniently. Our solutions include: Construction and Erection ‘All Risks’ Physical Damage Mobile Construction Plant and Equipment Delay in Start Up Property ‘All Risks’ Physical Damage Business Interruption Wrap Up Liability Completed Operations period Third Party Liability Primary and Excess of Loss Liability when the site is fully operational If you have any enquiries, you think may fit into the above please get in touch with our departmental heads: Construction – Stephen Tillie Property – Nick Salter Liability – James Blacker

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