Transport - Rail
"With ever more people using the rail network, the challenge is to find cost effective ways of increasing infrastructure capacity to meet the demand." Paul Williams, Principal Director, Rail
Osborne works for a range of clients within the rail sector, all with different priorities and ways of working. We have had framework agreements on the network for over 10 years, and currently have three frameworks with Network Rail. We are carrying out work in the South East of England to make stations accessible under the Disability Discrimination Act. Under this arrangement we have completed a number of schemes, and are currently working on a further four schemes, including a £7 million contract to install new lifts and access bridges at Clapham Junction.
Under the Operational Property Framework South, Osborne is responsible for work at stations in East Anglia, the South East and the West Country to build new and refurbish old footbridges, demolish signal boxes and refurbish stations.
Our third framework is with Network Rail Commercial Property, converting railway arches into affordable and attractive offices, retail and leisure premises. We also have contracts for reactive and planned maintenance at stations for Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies.
Osborne’s experience extends to major structures, such as the new rail over road bridge at Newtown Road, Ashford, Kent, which required a 52-hour possession of the tracks. Other recent projects include refurbishing a bridge over the railway at Dulwich, South London, and at Coulsdon in Surrey, we are completing the replacement of an existing bridge.
The drive toward inter-modal transport systems has provided opportunities to expand our work in surface, deck over and multi-storey car parks. Utilising our expertise gained in other sectors we have been appointed by Network Rail to design and build multi-storey car parks at Luton, Birmingham International and Rugby stations for completion in 2009.
In all our work on the rail network we are aware of the importance of safety. We also try to ensure that our work impacts as little as possible on the people who use the stations, liaising with railway staff and the local community to understand the impact our activities have on them.
Osborne was awarded the property framework contract for Network Rail’s South East territory during the year, which now includes the East Anglia route as well as Kent, Sussex and Wessex, where Osborne has been successfully working for the last seven years. This success is a testament to their delivery over the last seven years within the Construction Partnership. The challenge for Network Rail in the future is to continue delivering projects safely, efficiently and to programme to ever demanding regulated targets set against a background of increasing passenger numbers. This drives limitations in working windows to maintain, renew and enhance the property portfolio including stations, depots and lineside buildings. Innovative thought and determination within the Network Rail/contractor team is the key to our success, and Osborne has proven their ability to deliver in this area. Neil Thompson, Programme Director Construction, Network Rail
For more information contact rail@osborne.co.uk