Network Rail Asset Protection Handbook High Speed Rail PDF
Network Rail Asset Protection Handbook High Speed Rail PDF
Network Rail Asset Protection Handbook High Speed Rail PDF
Note that hyperlinks to internal Network Rail documents will not work for external
users. In this case contact your Asset Protection Engineer.
Cover photo: Manhattan Loft Gardens development beside High Speed 1 at
Stratford.
1. Introduction 6
1.1 Purpose 6
1.2 Scope 6
1.3 Responsibilities 7
1.4 Outside Parties team charter 7
1.5 Disclaimer 8
1.6 Legal requirements 8
1.7 Level playing field in tender situations 8
1.8 Definitions 9
2. Risk management 12
2.1 General 12
2.2 Risk tools 12
2.3 Programme development 12
2.4 Safe working practices 12
2.5 Buried services 13
2.6 Windblown debris 13
2.7 Protection to railway equipment 14
2.8 Emergency plans 14
2.9 Standards 14
2.10 CDM Regulations 2015 14
2.11 Request for information (RFI) 15
2.12 As-built information 15
3. Formal approvals 16
3.1 Principle 16
3.2 Planning consent 16
3.3 Initial consultation 16
3.4 Formal approvals 16
3.5 Timescales 19
3.6 System Review Panel (SRP) 19
3.7 Approval in Principle (F001/Form A) 19
3.8 Design intent (F002) and Certificate of design and checking
(F003) 20
3.9 Temporary works (F003/Form C) 23
3.10 Architectural and layout acceptance (F004) 23
3.11 Certificate of fitness to be taken into use (F005) 23
3.12 Method statement/work package plan or lifting plan 24
3.13 Approval of CRE and CEM 24
4. Access 25
4.1 General 25
4.2 Access competency 25
4.3 Dispensation 26
4.4 Work on High Speed 1 land 26
4.5 Disruptive possessions 27
4.6 Possessions 27
4.7 Between trains working 28
4.8 Isolations 28
4.9 Possessions across rail interfaces 28
4.10 Rail traffic during a possession 28
4.11 Possession overrun contingency planning 28
4.12 Possession costs 29
Figures
Figure 1 – Approvals process flowchart 18
Figure 2 – Table of design check categories 22
Figure 3 – Arrangements for accessing the railway 25
Figure 4 – Measurement of vertical clearances 31
Figure 5 – Measurement of horizontal clearances 32
Figure 6 – EMC activities 35
Figure 7 – Track support zone 44
Figure 8 – Structure support zone 44
Figure 9 – Loading and excavation close to retaining walls 45
Appendices
Appendix A – Scheme checklist 56
Appendix B – Method statement checksheet 57
1.2 Scope
This document applies to the High Speed 1 line from the Channel Tunnel at
Cheriton to St Pancras station including the links to Temple Mills depot from
Stratford station and Fawkham junction from Southfleet junction, as well as
other links at St Pancras, Ebbsfleet, Ashford and Dollonds Moor freight yard.
The guidance covers all work by developers that can influence the railway,
including stations and other lands. For example general construction,
excavations, demolition, installation of public utilities and other services
including underground and overhead pipes and cables, surveys, ground
investigation works and general access.
The Asset Protection Engineer will be concerned with:
• safety of passengers, railway staff and the public when using HS1
premises or designated land
• safety and stability of the track, running tunnels, overhead electrified lines,
embankments, cuttings and structures
• maintenance of dimensional clearances
• protection of railway equipment
• risks from plant such as cranes and piling rigs within a collapse radius of
the High Speed 1 infrastructure
• lines of sight to signals and avoidance of glare affecting train drivers
• risks from flood, windblown debris and unexploded ordnance
• avoiding additional maintenance or other liabilities/obligations
• any covenants or safeguarded zones in favour of HS1
• heritage considerations at St Pancras station.
This document does not cover in-house Network Rail (High Speed)
maintenance work but it does cover some construction work instructed by HS1
or Network Rail (High Speed) of an outside party nature.
A companion document (C/05/OP/32/3001) gives guidance to the Asset
Protection Engineer at planning application stage. Other requirements can be
found in statutory instruments, codes of practice, Railway Group Standards
and Network Rail (High Speed) standards and guidance.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Network Rail (High Speed)
Asset Protection – we are here to help. In the first instance
email: [email protected]
Issue 7.1 Page 6 of 58
1.3 Responsibilities
The High Speed 1 railway, formerly known as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link
(CTRL), is owned by the Secretary of State for Transport who has signed a
long term concession with HS1. HS1 has contracted with Network Rail (High
Speed) to operate and maintain the railway, which includes management of
work by developers. Where a PPA exists between HS1 and the developer,
Network Rail (High Speed) acts as the Engineer under that agreement.
This document is prepared by the Asset Protection Project Manager.
2.9 Standards
Safe operation of the railway is governed by Group and Company standards
that it is incumbent upon any developer to abide by. The developer is
expected to appoint designers and project managers who know and
understand what is required to comply with these.
Network Rail (High Speed) has its own line standards based on, but distinct
from, those of Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd.
When working on the operational railway or High Speed 1 land the developer
shall comply with the Network Rail (High Speed) alcohol and drugs policy.
Developers and others involved in work on the Railway should be familiar with
the Network Rail (High Speed) Environmental Policy Statement.
3.5 Timescales
Developers are advised to allow in their programme 40 working days for
acceptance of each of F001/Form A and F002/F003/Form B. For other
acceptances the duration will depend upon the size and scope of the
document being approved, and whether the Asset Protection Engineer will
need to submit for outside engineering review. We would normally expect the
developer to allow 20 working days for a temporary works/Form C acceptance,
and 15 working days for method statements/work package plans and lifting
plans.
We aim to complete our review in half the programmed approval times stated
above. A poor quality submission, significant rework or multiple iterations are
likely to lengthen the approval timescale.
3.8 Design intent (F002) and Certificate of design and checking (F003)
3.8.1 General
Design submissions should cover detailed design to the extent needed to
understand elements of the scheme affecting the safety, operation,
maintenance or liabilities of HS1. Developers will have established this extent
with Network Rail (High Speed) at AIP stage. For example:
• for a development above tunnels the design submission would normally
include: architectural details for the superstructure, design loads,
foundation layout, and calculated load and deformation of the tunnels
• where High Speed 1 is above ground but outside the influence zone we will
want to see selected superstructure details such as window opening and
cleaning arrangements, and maintenance proposals on the railway façade.
The Asset Protection Engineer will advise what is required when agreeing the
schedule of submissions (see section 3.3).
I Designs where failure could not The design may be checked in the same
conceivably affect safety or group or team as that which prepared
operation of the railway but which the design, but by people other than the
could have an adverse impact on designers. Those carrying out the
short or long term liabilities such as design check may refer to the design
additional maintenance calculations and the assumptions on
which the calculations are based, but
shall critically consider the assumptions
in order to be satisfied that the
assumptions are valid
II Designs where failure could not The design shall be checked by the
conceivably affect safety or same organisation as that which
operation of the railway but could prepared the design, but in a separate
adversely affect the safety or group of team which has not been
operation of other High Speed 1 concerned with the development of the
assets design
III Designs where failure could The design shall be checked by an
prejudice the safety or operation oforganisation independent of the design
the railway organisation. Normally this means an
organisation which is a separate legal
entity
Figure 2 – Table of design check categories
4.3 Dispensation
Dispensations can be issued in certain circumstances:
• for 3 days or less per calendar year
• survey or specialist inspection
• specialist short term work.
• a visitor not carrying out work.
A dispensation is similar to the Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd visitor permit
but can only be issued by certain Network Rail (High Speed) managers
covering defined activities with defined supervision on defined dates. The
manager will need to satisfy himself that the person covered by the
dispensation is:
• physically fit
• adequately supervised
• satisfactorily briefed
• unable to take the DZEP or SZEP training.
Where track access is required developers should not underestimate the
advance notice required (see section 4.6). For many schemes this is on the
critical path. Developers should submit plans in sufficient detail to allow
discussion with the Network Rail (High Speed) Planning Department to identify
possible track access conflicts or issues.
4.6 Possessions
Track possessions are available at night only and will allow a working period of
about 3 to 4 hours (longer on Saturday nights). Possessions will be necessary
for work:
• within the operational railway
• above the railway
• where, in the opinion of the Asset Protection Engineer, work would actually
or potentially interfere with the normal running of the railway.
Possessions must be planned well in advance (at the latest 36 weeks in
advance to ensure visibility in the Draft Period Possession Plan which has to
be shared with the Train Operating Companies. The agreed plan is then
submitted at T-26.
Only in exceptional circumstances will it be possible to vary the possession, or
provide additional possessions or isolations. The developer may need to send
a representative (who is intimately aware of the work planned) to accompany
the Asset Protection possession coordinator to the T14/T-7/T-2 possession
planning meeting.
Operational constraints mean that possessions are sometimes cancelled or
curtailed at short notice. Network Rail (High Speed) cannot guarantee that
possessions will take place or that they will be of the expected duration. Nor
will Network Rail (High Speed) be responsible for any of the developer’s costs
in this event.
There will be a Responsible Person on Site (RPOS) for each possession who
will be the only person that may say that it is safe for work to commence.
Whether or not the developer provides the RPOS, the developer must ensure
that the person in charge of the works knows the identity of the RPOS and
enforces compliance with his instructions. The RPOS will give up a
possession when satisfied that:
• the works requiring the possession are complete
• personnel are clear of the line
• the railway is safe and clear for traffic.
The developer must allow adequate time for taking and giving up a
possession/isolation when planning the possession work scope.
Issue 7.1 Page 27 of 58
4.7 Between trains working
Section 7 of Module T7 of the rule book allows the line to be temporarily
blocked for certain purposes provided that normal passage of trains is not
affected. These purposes are typically short duration lifting operations or
piling rig works where the collapse radius would otherwise require a
possession. Danger Zone access is prohibited.
On the main High Speed 1 route the frequency of trains is such that between
trains working is generally only available at night or late and early in the day.
A Network Rail (High Speed) local manager will need to be arranged and be
present on site to communicate with the signaller.
Between trains working must be planned, agreed and resourced in sufficient
time to allow publication in the weekly notice.
4.8 Isolations
Where the work is near to or over the OCS an isolation will be required. This
must be booked well in advance and will curtail the duration of working time in
the possession. It can involve several persons setting up and removing the
isolation in complex areas like the Ebbsfleet station throat. These resources
are only available through Network Rail (High Speed) and are scarce. The
further in advance they are booked the more likely it is that they will be
available. However, Network Rail (High Speed) cannot guarantee their
availability and will not be held responsible for the consequences of any non-
availability.
There are some areas of High Speed 1 which have third rail: Ebbsfleet High
Level including the junction with North Kent Line, Ripple Lane, Fawkham
Junction, Ashford and Dollands Moor to Eurotunnel.
5.2 Clearances
Clearances are crucial to safe operation of the railway. The minimum
clearances, outside which the whole development must be kept, are quoted
here for convenience to avoid the need to extract this information from other
documents. The dimensions quoted in the following may need to be increased
where required by the railway infrastructure.
5.4 Gauging
Gauging is the process by which the various swept envelopes of a vehicle
(principally Class 373 and 374 (Eurostar) and Class 395 (Hitachi) for High
Speed 1) are assessed to ensure they can maintain a safe clearance to
lineside structures or vehicles on adjacent tracks. Lineside structures could
also include temporary works.
5.8 Glare
Where the development includes a highly reflective facade the designer is to
consider the extent to which specular surfaces, such as glass or polished
metal, could adversely affect the vision of train drivers. Developments which
give rise to spectral reflection will require a study of reflected sunlight as
experienced by the train driver’s perspective, even where they are some
distance from the railway. The assessment should:
• identify the relevant parts of the proposed facades which may reflect light
Project specific
EMC requirements
Safety case
development
Design
Final installation
design for EMC
EMC verification
acceptance
scope
6.2 Supervision
Although the developer retains responsibility for safe execution of his works
and for providing adequate supervision, where the safety or operation of the
railway could be prejudiced Network Rail (High Speed) may require an extra
level of supervision. This could include:
• for any works: site inspections of general safety, scaffolding, lifting
operations, excavations near buried services
• for works with a high risk to the safety of train operations: a Network Rail
(High Speed) safety representative full time
• where possessions are provided: the provision of an RPOS and Task
Supervisor
• where isolations are provided: the provision of an NPOS
• during between trains working: a local manager to liaise with the signaller
• for work on Network Rail (High Speed) property, especially near to railway
services: full time or part time site representation on behalf of Network Rail
(High Speed).
6.4 Communications
Communications between Network Rail (High Speed) and the developer
should be through established channels. However, the developer agrees that
in an emergency during construction the Asset Protection Engineer (or other
Network Rail (High Speed) person) may give instructions directly to the
contractor in the interests of railway safety.
Where appropriate the developer is expected to have emergency plans in
place prior to the work. These will include emergency Network Rail (High
Issue 7.1 Page 37 of 58
Speed) contact details. The Asset Protection Engineer will often require a
notice showing contact details in the event of a railway emergency to be part
of the work briefing and to be posted on site. Where the Asset Protection
Engineer requires this it will be included in his method statement comments.
Before start of work on the site the Asset Protection Engineer shall be
provided with a list of names and telephone numbers for personnel
responsible for organising remedial action in the event of an emergency on the
work site when it is unattended.
6.16 Vibration
Vibration can present a risk to operation through disruption of equipment or
through movement of ground or structures (ground displacement, settlement
or heave).
Excessive vibration near to High Speed 1 structures, particularly tunnels, is
unlikely to be acceptable, normally ruling out driven piling as well as
vibro-compaction and stone columns. If these methods are used and the
developer cannot demonstrate that the vibration does not exceed a peak
particle velocity of 5mm/s at any structure then a settlement and vibration
monitoring regime will be required.
If Network Rail (High Speed) believes that continuing piling will or is
reasonably likely to have an adverse impact on HS1 property and/or on High
Speed 1 then we must have the right to suspend the piling works.
7.7 Boreholes
Those proposing boreholes should have regard to the extent of subsoil
acquisition (see section 7.2). As a minimum the drilling method, diameter,
proposed depth, inclination and OS coordinates of the borehole will be
required before approval is given. The Asset Protection Engineer may wish to
attend site to verify site controls on location and depth.
7.10 Monitoring
For developments above, below or near to tunnels the developer will agree
with the Asset Protection Engineer whether tunnel monitoring is required and,
if so, to agree a monitoring regime. Measures will depend upon the predicted
load and deformation at the tunnel extrados and are likely to be:
• pre-works and post-works tunnel condition survey
• a review of the track recording coach measurements of track vertical and
horizontal alignment
• pre-works and post-works three dimensional survey using laser or fixed
targets (also during the works if for an extended period) to identify the
radial and longitudinal deformation profile changes of the HS1 tunnels
during the works
• monitoring equipment recording movement of tunnel lining and trackbed in
real time. This will need to be in place well before loading (to allow a stable
set of readings to be taken) and continue until soil movement is largely
complete or until it is clear that the settlement has matched the predictions
• monitoring of adjacent structures such as retaining walls forming
basements close to the High Speed 1 tunnels so that displacements of the
wall are monitored at source and may be able to be correlated with
displacements of the nearby High Speed 1 tunnels.
Issue 7.1 Page 49 of 58
8. Lifting
8.1 Types of plant
This section deals in particular with:
• tower cranes (fixed or luffing jib)
• mobile cranes
• hoists, lifts and mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs)
• 360 degree excavators used as cranes
• telehandlers
• helicopter lifts.
It provides some general guidance appropriate to other types of cranes such
as rail-mounted cranes and gantry cranes. Concrete pumps are also
considered.
Piling rigs are dealt with in section 9.