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Railway Interface Management FAQ

Find out answers to the most common questions asked about Railway Interface Management.

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General
Q.Why do Network Rail have to be involved?
Q.What type of work is potentially affected by the presence of a railway?
Q.In an emergency, what do I do?
Q.What technical design standards apply to railway work?
Q.Can I carry out a service below the railway by undertrack crossing without affecting trains or Network Rails Infrastucture?
Q.Who do I contact at Network Rail?
Q.Where can I obtain buried service information?
Approvals
Q.Do I need to inform Network Rail of developments over tunnels?
Q.What is involved in gaining Network Rail approval?
Q.How long will it take to obtain Network Rail approval?
Q.Will Network Rails requirements have a bearing on our safe systems of work and programme?
Q.What Legal Agreements will be needed with Network Rail?
Q.Will Network Rail dictate methods of work?
Services
Q.Where can I get advice?
Q.What service does Corus offer?
Q.What benefits will Corus bring to my project?
Q.Can Corus act as the Third Party Representative in accordance with Group Standard RT/LS/P/043?
Q.Can someone else manage the interface with Network Rail for me?
Q.What geographic area does Corus cover?
Planning
Q.How long will it take to plan the project with Network Rail?
Health and Safety
Q.What is my responsibility under the Health and Safety at Works Act and Construction (Design and Management) Regulations?
Q.What Health and Safety hazards can be expected on the railway?
Q.Do I need to contact Her Majesties Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) division of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)?
Q.What training/qualifications do my staff need to go on or about, what will it cost and how long will it take to get it?
Q.What are the risks to the project?
Q.What are the risks, hazards and constraints of working in close proximity to the railway?
Financial
Q.Will Network Rail charge me for their involvement?
Q.How much would it cost to use Corus?
Access
Q.Which contractors can I employ to work on the railway?
Q.Can Local Authority Direct Labour Organisations do any work on the railway?
Q.How can I arrange access onto the railway?
Q.How can I survey the railway or obtain record information?
Q.How do I arrange for the traction wires or conductor rail to be switched off?
Q.How do I arrange for trains to be stopped?
General
Q.Why do Network Rail have to be involved? 
A.Network Rail have a statutory responsibility to ensure the continued safety of the railway infrastructure. Part of this responsibility is to manage Outside Party works. In its simplest form this means they must ensure no further risk is imported onto the railway by Outside Parties working in close proximity to the railway. You have a duty under the Health and Safety at Works Act to inform your neighbour (in this case Network Rail) so that they can advise you on any special precautions that need to be taken to protect them from your works and your staff from the railway.  
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Q.What type of work is potentially affected by the presence of a railway? 
A.Any work alongside the railway where plant or materials could fall either by accident or failure within the railway boundary. Any works under or over the railway. Any works that need access onto Network Rail controlled infrastructure. Works at stations. Any works that are in the line of site of train drivers. Works in the highway on the approach to level crossings or on bridges. Works that affect the support of Network Rail property or infrastructure, including any excavations at the foot of embankments or wingwalls. Any work within ten metres of the railway boundary. Street or car park lighting schemes. If in doubt contact Corus or Network Rail and they can advise you. 
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Q.In an emergency, what do I do? 
A.In the first instance contact Network Rail (see your local telephone directory for the number). Corus will be able to manage the interface should there be any recovery or follow up works  
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Q.What technical design standards apply to railway work? 
A.In addition to the British Standards and Eurocodes, Network Rail have Group Standards and Line Standards which may be applicable to your project. There are also other engineering constraints which may affect technical decisions. Corus can point you in the right direction and give you detailed advice on the engineering constraints presented by the railway on your works. 
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Q.Can I carry out a service below the railway by undertrack crossing without affecting trains or Network Rails Infrastucture? 
A.In principle yes but there are a number of engineering constraints to satisfy. In addition, due to the sensitivity of the track, Network Rail will require the track geometry to be monitored during your works and for a period after completion. Corus can advise you of the detailed requirements and other considerations. 
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Q.Who do I contact at Network Rail? 
A.Within Network Rail it is the Territory Infrastructure Protection Managers responsibility to ensure Outside Party works are managed to avoid additional risk being imported onto the railway. Corus maintain an up to date list of the five Territory Infrastructure Protection Managers. We can manage the interface between your works and ensure the correct notifications are made and approvals sought.  
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Q.Where can I obtain buried service information? 
A.Network Rail hold some records on their buried services. Corus can tailor record searches to suit your requirements and ensure the correct information is obtained. 
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Approvals
Q.Do I need to inform Network Rail of developments over tunnels? 
A.In the first instance, yes. There is a set of engineering constraints detailing the permitted development over tunnels. Corus can advise you of the standard requirements and approach Network Rail for the specific requirements of the particular structure in question. 
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Q.What is involved in gaining Network Rail approval? 
A.The majority of works alongside the railway but outside Network Rail controlled infrastructure do not need approval. However, access onto Network Rail property, works over or under the railway and works to former railway buildings and property do require approval. The type of approval depends on the nature of your works. Corus can advise you of the requirements and likely timescales. 
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Q.How long will it take to obtain Network Rail approval? 
A.This depends on the nature of your works. Corus can advise you of the requirements and likely timescales. 
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Q.Will Network Rails requirements have a bearing on our safe systems of work and programme? 
A.The constraints do affect the selection of safe working methods. At whatever stage in the process you contact us, Corus can advise you of appropriate safe systems of work and processes to ensure Network Rails requirements are met whilst maintaining an efficient programme. The earlier we are involved, the more efficient the programme will be. 
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Q.What Legal Agreements will be needed with Network Rail? 
A.This is dependant on your work. Most activities will be undertaken on standard agreements with Network Rail such as the Basic Asset Protection Agreement. Sometimes other agreements are also required, i.e. wayleave, licence or Works Agreement. Corus will be able to advise you on the various types of agreement that would be applicable to your works. 
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Q.Will Network Rail dictate methods of work? 
A.Normally it is for you to propose a method of working and then Network Rail to approve. Certain techniques that could increase the risk to the railway require strong engineering justification and detailed risk assessment to allow their use, i.e. explosive demolition. Also some equipment requires Network Rail approval, i.e. cable avoiding tools. Corus can advise you on the potential affect your works will have on the railway. We can also suggest suitable methods for working in close proximity to the railway and facilitate the Network Rail approval process.  
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Services
Q.Where can I get advice? 
A.Corus have a team of professional staff with extensive experience of working on and alongside railways. Contact Corus for further information. 
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Q.What service does Corus offer? 
A.Corus offer a bespoke service from an initial consultation offering advice and detailing the constraints applicable to your particular project through to an ongoing involvement through development and/or implementation, reviewing processes, maximising efficiencies and managing the interface with Network Rail. Contact Corus for more information. 
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Q.What benefits will Corus bring to my project? 
A.Corus have a team of approachable professional staff with extensive experience of working on and alongside railways. They can efficiently manage the interface between your project and Network Rail offering a pragmatic and bespoke service. 
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Q.Can Corus act as the Third Party Representative in accordance with Group Standard RT/LS/P/043? 
A.Yes. Corus have extensive experience working with Passenger Transport Executives, thorough feasibility, design and construction phases. 
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Q.Can someone else manage the interface with Network Rail for me? 
A.Yes. Corus have a team of professional and friendly staff with extensive experience of working on and alongside railways. They can efficiently manage the interface between your project and Network Rail. By getting things right first time there are savings to be had in both cost and programme. 
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Q.What geographic area does Corus cover? 
A.Corus offers the Railway Interface Management service across the whole of the UK with offices in York, London, Birmingham and Manchester.  
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Planning
Q.How long will it take to plan the project with Network Rail? 
A.This depends on the nature of your works. A general minimum is 4 to 6 weeks, unless it is emergency works. If trains need to be stopped or the traction lines isolated you need to allow a minimum of 18 weeks to arrange this. Corus can advise you of the requirements and likely timescales. 
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Health and Safety
Q.What is my responsibility under the Health and Safety at Works Act and Construction (Design and Management) Regulations?  
A.The Health and Safety at Works Act requires you to protect your neighbours against risks to health and safety arising out of or in connection with your works. Network Rail require you to adopt special precautions to protect them from your works. Although the risk from your activity can be small, the consequences can be catastrophic. Under CDM it is the Planning Supervisor’s responsibility to coordinate the health and safety aspects of the projects. In order to fully discharge these duties, the Planning Supervisor would normally be expected to take advice from Network Rail or specialists like Corus.  
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Q.What Health and Safety hazards can be expected on the railway? 
A.Corus will be able to provide a comprehensive list of location specific railway hazards associated with your project. 
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Q.Do I need to contact Her Majesties Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) division of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)? 
A.Possibly. Corus can determine this for you. 
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Q.What training/qualifications do my staff need to go on or about, what will it cost and how long will it take to get it? 
A.Network Rail have introduced procedures which allow outside parties temporary access onto the railway as required to complete their works. No qualifications are required and the administration can be dealt with during the normal planning timescales for the work. Contact Corus for more details. 
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Q.What are the risks to the project? 
A.Being in close proximity to the railway presents a number of risks to your project and contractors. There are the physical hazards the railway presents to your works (and the hazards your works present to the railway). There are the risks to the programme including timescales for Network Rail approval and booking closures of the line or isolations of the traction wires or third rail. There are also the financial risks associated with the above and also in terms of Network Rails management costs and train stoppages (whether planned or unplanned). Corus can advise you of the risks and offer the most efficient solution to allow you to minimise and quantify these risks.  
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Q.What are the risks, hazards and constraints of working in close proximity to the railway? 
A.This depends on the nature of your works. Corus can advise you of the Network Rail requirements and relevant legislation/working practices applicable to your works. 
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Financial
Q.Will Network Rail charge me for their involvement? 
A.Generally, all costs incurred by Network Rail by reason of the Outside Parties works shall be borne by the applicant, including the costs of any additional measures thought necessary by Network Rail. Corus can manage the interface with Network Rail to keep these costs to a minimum. 
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Q.How much would it cost to use Corus? 
A.Costs can vary over a wide range being dependant on your requirements. Corus offer a bespoke service from an initial consultation offering advice and detailing the constraints applicable to your particular project through to an ongoing involvement through development and/or implementation, reviewing processes, maximising efficiencies and managing the interface with Network Rail. The choice is yours. Contact Corus for more information 
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Access
Q.Which contractors can I employ to work on the railway? 
A.In almost all cases there is no restriction on your choice of Contractor. However, if your work requires changes to Network Rails infrastructure the Contractor must have an Assurance Case with Network Rail. Corus can advise you of any such considerations to be made when appointing your contractor. 
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Q.Can Local Authority Direct Labour Organisations do any work on the railway? 
A.Yes with the correct level of authorisation from Network Rail. They have introduced procedures which allow outside parties access onto the railway as required to complete their works. Contact Corus for more details. 
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Q.How can I arrange access onto the railway? 
A.Network Rail’s Territory Infrastructure Protection Manager, Network Rail Property or Network Rails Agents will ultimately process your applications for access onto the railway, arranging track closures and isolations. if required. Corus can manage this interface for you. 
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Q.How can I survey the railway or obtain record information? 
A.Arrangements to access Network Rail property must go through Network Rail. Corus can manage this interface for you. Network Rail control a lot of historic record information across various record centres. Corus can tailor record searches to suit your requirements and ensure the correct information is obtained.  
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Q.How do I arrange for the traction wires or conductor rail to be switched off? 
A.This is a similar process to stopping trains. However, isolations are not generally available for short duration between train working. Contact Corus for more information. 
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Q.How do I arrange for trains to be stopped? 
A.Network Rail have standard opportunities to carry out work on or adjacent to the railway. These are generally at night and at the weekend. For applications to work within these times normally eighteen weeks should be allowed for this process. Opportunity to work outside of these times is limited and would require strong engineering justification. However, it is possible on some lines to work during the periods between trains in the daytime if this is appropriate to the work being undertaken. Contact Corus for more information. 
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