Network Rail has extended a contract with Lanes Group to provide it with drainage services for a further 12 months until 2025.
Service delivery is being coordinated by Lanes Group Rail, the company’s dedicated rail division, and includes a full range of tasks, including track drainage cleaning and rehabilitation.
Network Rail has said drainage works will become a bigger priority over the next five years to counter the negative impact of climate change on rail services.
Rail-enabled teams
Lanes Group Rail (LGR) Business Development Manager Bill Waring said: “This framework contract extension is a vote of confidence in the capabilities of our teams.
“We have a strong record of delivering responsive and planned drainage services for Network Rail’s delivery units through the COOM framework, as well as tier 1 and 2 contractors working across the national rail network.
“We’ve also strengthened our operational teams, internal systems and training to ensure we have rail-enabled teams across the country who can respond effectively and in a timely way to support Network Rail projects.”
LGR project managers are working directly with Network Rail delivery units to carry out a range of work, including track drainage desilting, root cutting, ditch reprofiling and flood water removal.
Drainage Improvement Works
Lee Constable, Senior Project Manager at LGR, said: “An example is the work we’re doing for Network Rail’s London Bridge Delivery Unit, which maintains rail services across south London and into Kent.
“We’re regularly commissioned to carry out drainage improvement works, usually during weekend possessions, to address high priority issues that could put passenger services at risk.
“Network Rail commissions contractors they can rely on to work safely and diligently. Our expertise, experience and performance record gives our Network Rail colleagues confidence that we won’t let them down.”
LGR drainage engineers can deploy a range of specialist equipment that ensure tasks are carried out efficiently, safely and sustainably to a high standard.
Improved service sustainability
For example, it uses tracked jetting reels to lay up to 0.5km of hose along rail lines during cleaning operations, which supports the most effective clearance of silt from track drainage systems.
The recycler jet vac tankers the Lanes teams uses can filter and reuse dirty water, allowing them to remain on station working for longer, increasing productivity by over 60% compared with standard vehicles.
A contracting subsidiary, UKDN Waterflow (LG), holds a Network Rail Principal Contractor’s Licence, which allows LGR to plan, manage and deliver a wide range of on- and off-track drainage projects.
This is helping Network Rail to meet its requirements for reactive and preventive planned maintenance works, which has a new focus on meeting the challenges posed by global warming.
In April 2024, Network Rail announced that £2.8 billion – 6% of the £45.4 billion budget for the CP7 five-year rail improvement period – would be spent on projects to off-set more extreme weather caused by climate change.
A significant number will involve improving drainage.
Find out more
Talk to Lanes Group Rail about its site investigation, drainage and facilities management services for rail contractors and rail companies across UK.
Email: bill.waring@lanesgroup.co.uk. Telephone : 07731 346814.