TRACK TECHNOLOGY
“Because of the complexity of Watford, and the access we have got, there has been a lot more focus on how we’re delivering the works and making sure the planning is so much more robust. We’re conscious of trying to front-load a lot of work because we didn’t want to get into commissioning where you have lots of work that is still to be done – adding more risks. The mantra has always been about ‘planning early and trying to get ahead’ with the programme.”
Losing the central ladder
talked to us about the installation work carried out over the middle three weekends in August. ladder, a notable feature of the layout at Watford.
Giving us an update on this work, he said that there is still one point – in the series of points – to remove.
“The removal of the central ladder, in terms of all the activities we have had to undertake, was probably the tightest in terms of delivery,” said Nixon.
“We came very close to the wire on four of the six shifts, but we had to cancel one of the sessions because there had been some operational issues, which would have meant we’d have over-run.”
But delaying this work wasn’t critical for the track or signalling programme, and the point Christmas. This isn’t expected to have an impact on the project’s delivery.
Nixon added that the delay had been caused due to one of the engineering trains, which was running late because of other issues on the network, including a fatality. By the time the
train would have arrived at Watford it would’ve been two hours late, delaying the handing back of the possession.
Revised working
“Normally the big risk for commissioning at Christmas is the weather, and we had our
RTM was told that the weather had been “really cold” and some time was lost in erecting signal improved, the team managed to pick up the lost time.
Back in January 2014, Network Rail announced a revision to the programme’s works with the withdrawal of two proposed closures of the West Coast Main Line. Originally, a 16-day closure in August, with a following 9-day closure in February 2015 at Watford, had been planned. But a review of the project decided the work would take place over three weekends in August and two weekends in February. Nixon told us that there has been much support for the project from the public, especially after the blockades were changed.
“People are thinking more about the long- rather than the immediate impact,” he said. “There also seems to be an appreciation that we’ve moved away from a large blockade strategy to the more discreet access because it has impacted on many fewer services. This is an approach we will be taking forward, very roles is picking up on all the lessons learned at Watford and looking at how, with input with our stakeholders, we improve on projects going forward.”
Three major blocks of work Nixon highlighted that following the Christmas
commissioning, which has led to the Watford signals now being operated from Wembley major blocks of work left to do: two separate weekends in February and then Easter.
“All through those weekends we’re renewing the North Junction,” he said. “We are doing the then the slow lines and overall commissioning in Easter.
replacing Orphanage Road Bridge, which is just south of Watford Junction station. We will rebuilding it and then putting the track back on.”
The team highlighted that from January onwards, there is going to be some disruptive work in the local area as they start preparing a compound for the road bridge demolition and rebuild, which is the last major element of the project.
“That’s going to be disruptive for the local community and we’re well aware of that and are working with the local councils in dealing with this,” said Nixon.
“We are very proactive with our community relations team, as we appreciate the work that we are doing can be disruptive for our lineside neighbours. Unfortunately, we’re not going to keep everyone happy, but that is the reality of life.
“But if people understand why, when and where we are going to do the work it will, hopefully, maintain that goodwill.”
John Nixon
opinion@railtechnologymagazine.com TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
rail technology magazine Dec/Jan 15 | 47
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