Colas Rail UK partnered with Network Rail as part of a volunteering day to renovate and reopen the disused Walsall Engineering Sidings.

The plan was put in place to clean up the area to utilise the space as a prime stabling point for On Track Plant and serviceable materials in the area.

A team of 10 volunteers (five apiece from both teams) dedicated a day in December 2021 to take on the following tasks:

  • Removal of portacabin stillage & Steps
  • Scrap removal (approximately 20 tonnes of scrap rail and 55 serviceable G44 sleepers)
  • De-vegetation of site
  • Resighting of P-way Cabin/Stores
  • Amassing/Organising of P-way materials
  • Resighting of P-way Rail/long materials
  • Installation of level grade throughout
  • Installation of Armco Barrier and signage (denoting parking/materials store)

Check out the video below to hear from the team and see the volunteering day in action:

To ensure the site remains tidy, On Track Plant suppliers and Network Rail will put provisional plans together to implement general maintenance and routine inspections.

Speaking about the volunteering day, Colas Rail UK’s OTM Delivery Manager and CSR day organiser, Roger Nicholas said “Working in collaboration with Network Rail to clean up and make this stabling point clean and tidy for our lineside neighbours and local environment is key to ensuring the safety of our staff especially when working in night-time conditions.

“One of our core values at Colas Rail is to care for our employees, volunteering in this way not only helps the local environment but means that we reduce the risk of injury ensuring everyone gets to go home safe.”