Teynham – Level Crossing Renewal

THE CUSTOMER
Pro Rail Services Ltd. is a Railway civil engineering contractor who execute maintenance contracts on Network Rail infrastructure. This project took place on the South East Route.

THE CHALLENGE
Pro Rail Services was commissioned to replace a level crossing STRAIL system on the Medway Valley Line in North Kent.

This was a complex project owing to the need to repair the drainage under the crossing and the presence of buried services connecting nearby residences.

Health and safety considerations included restrictive working on the level crossing, and manual handling of heavy materials and equipment.

THE SOLUTION
A topographical survey was carried out. Data was used to create a design approved by Network Rail South East. Work was carried out in partnership with the rail crossing system manufacturer, STRAIL. All work was undertaken under a pre-planned 27-hour possession.

Extra care was needed to ensure there was no damage to the buried services.

As requested by the client, steel beams were used to support the STRAIL mats.

While replacing the mats, spot repairs would be made on the drainage underneath.

THE IMPLEMENTATION
Personnel deployed per 12-hour shift were:
• 6 skilled rail operatives
• 1 track handback engineer
• 1 COSS
• 1 Site Manager

The existing steel beams were reused and were removed and reinstalled using a 3-tonne excavator.

All arisings were put in 1-tonne bags and removed from site using a lorry with a truckmounted crane.

More than 50 STRAIL mats were installed.

Finally, road markings were re-painted prior to the crossing re-opening.

THE RESULTS
• The project was completed ahead of schedule and on budget, to Network Rail’s specification

• In addition, trespass guards were also repaired

• All work was carried out safely, with no incidents reported. No services we struck.