SRSA Successfully Service Severn Tunnel

The South Rail Systems Alliance (SRSA) have completed a renewal programme within the Severn Tunnel, a key arterial link between England and Wales.

Working across a 10-day blockade, the SRSA Kings Norton Division completed a full renewal through the Up Tunnel.

The multidisciplinary programme was completed through six stages and handing back fully welded, with the team installing:

3846m of track renewals on the Up Tunnel Road
Installation of 396 short-ended sleepers and 4 Hollow Bearers for Telecoms Cables
163 OLE Adjustments
Programme incorporated use of 30 Engineering Trains from Network Rail’s Supply Chain Organisation

These implementations lifted a temporary speed restriction to further improve the rail network.

Rallying our trusted supply chain, the team were supported successfully by A P Webb and McCulloch Rail’s On Track Plant, Sunbelt for Welfare and Tunnel Staff Access Control System and High Motive’s Radios and MyZones.

The SRSA’s design team also supported this scheme, with their designs adding value by increasing the freight gauge capacity on the track to accept W12 Freight Gauge across the length of the renewal.

The 10-day blockade was completed successfully, on budget and without incident. The SRSA is comprised of Colas Rail, Network Rail and AECOM, an alliance created to deliver a portfolio of works across the southern region of the UK over a 10-year period.

First Posted: 9th August 2022

Back to all news

Recent News

Signalling Team Galvanise Gloucester Signalling Setup

Earlier this year, Colas Rail UK’s Signalling & Telecomms (S&T) team completed works on the Gloucester Area Signalling Project (GASP). These works were essential to ensuring safety and increasing the reliability of the service as well as futureproofing the rail network spread across 240 sites.

Colas Rail UK Tamper Naming Tribute to “Gentle Giant and Gentleman” Brian Hill

Having completed its first key milestone on the project from the 2023 Christmas possession, the South Rail Systems Alliance (SRSA) has continued to make progress on the Rail Systems delivery as part of the Cambridge South Infrastructure Enhancements (CSIE) team for the new Cambridge South station.

SRSA Pick Up Momentum On Cambridge South 2024 Programme

Colas Rail UK Urban Division Start South Yorkshire Supertram Schedule

Colas Rail UK’s Urban division have recently commenced essential maintenance works as part of the South Yorkshire Supertram.

Signalling Team Transform Terras Level Crossing

Earlier this year, Colas Rail UK’s Signalling team recently completed the installation of four new level crossings in Cornwall.

Colas Rail UK’s Silver Award For Armed Service Employer Recognition Scheme

We’re delighted to share that Colas Rail UK has been awarded the Silver Award as part of the Armed Forces Covenant’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).