The South Rail Systems Alliance (SRSA) Bristol division have recently put the finishing touches to a 30-day long multidisciplinary blockade at Westbury, Wiltshire, one of the largest projects ever delivered by the SRSA.
Harnessing the SRSA’s rail infrastructure expertise, work began over Christmas 2024 to regenerate a crucial artery on the West of England Main Line, running between Cardiff and Portsmouth.
Tracking Progress
Utilising our fully refurbished Kirow 1200 crane, the SRSA successfully installed 30 Switches and Crossing (S&C) panels including:
- 26 High Performance Switch Systems Points Operating Equipment
- 2 timber units with mechanical handpoints
- 2 concrete fixed diamonds
These S&C panels were installed with associated plain line track.
The SRSA also completed 1513m of un-associated plain line track, 550 fully inspected and passed welds, 92 permanent joints, 25 stresses with all lines handed back at a maximum line speed of 75mph.
The track was subsequently tamped using two Colas Rail 09 Class Tamping Machines.
Signalling a New Era
Through our Signalling team, an abundance of signalling and telecommunication upgrades were made throughout the Westbury track network.
In total the team completed:
- Alterations to Train Describer
- 14 New Location Cabinets (LOC) to control the lineside assets
- Alterations in 22 existing LOCs
- 22 ends of High Performance Switch Systems
- 4 ends HW2000s Point Machines (double Slips)
- 2 Hand Points
- 41 affected Track Circuits
- 23 affected Signals (including one brand new route on W407)
- 11 sets of Train Protection Warning Systems
- 3 Automatic Warning Systems
- 15 new signs
- 15km of new cabling
- 500m of troughing upgrades
- 10km of cable recoveries
- Alterations to Signallers display and control panels and to maintainers panel
Keeping it Civil
70m of Coper adjustments were made throughout platform 2 of Westbury station, with platform resurfacing, 65m of tactile paving and 10 coper supporting brackets successfully implemented.
Enhancing Electrification and Power
Our electrification and power (E&P) team were also involved with multiple upgrades such as a new Functional Supply Point, 5 650/110v Transformers replaced, a new Points Heating Control Cubicle (PHCC) and amending two existing PHCCs, 22 new points heating Transformers, 6 hot and cold probes, 11 trackside connection boxes, 96 points heating strips and 5km of new cabling.
Demonstrating Drainage Delivery
Throughout the infrastructure, our Bristol drainage team successfully installed 2 single track Under Track Crossing (UTX), 1 double track UTX, 225m of drainage including 16 new catch pits, 6 refurbished track pits and 5m of connecting T piece.
That’s a RRAP
Along the down siding spur, we installed 10.8m of Tap-Strail Road Rail Access Point (RRAP) track including edge beams.
The SRSA’s additional scope of works on the RRAP involved 13m of trough protection, with timber treated edging and steel plates along with 3.6m of barriers to protect nearby cabinets.
Speaking on the successful delivery of the monthlong blockade, Network Rail Western and Wales Region Acting Programme Director (Track), Ross Mahoney said “I know how much effort and sacrifice went into the planning and delivery of this job, which has been running non-stop since Christmas Eve. Thanks to everyone who gave up their Christmases, weekends and everything else to make this happen.
“This is comfortably the biggest renewal we have planned for the entire control period and the benefit it brings to the Western Route and the wider Region cannot easily be overstated.
“Thanks to everybody involved in this fantastic achievement.”
To complete the project scope, the SRSA enlisted the help of High Motive, Mac Rail, Sunbelt Rentals, AP Webb, McGinley, Ganymede, A1, ISS, Progress Rail and Supply Chain Operations amongst other suppliers to ensure successful delivery.
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 published: 25th February 2025