The first major switches and crossings (S&C) renewal as part of the Southern Integrated Delivery (SID) has been completed.
The work, delivered by VolkerRail, took place over a series of weekend possessions in May and June across a 430-metre stretch of line at Hoo Junction, Rochester.
Across eight shifts, 56 panels (24 S&C panels and 32 plain line panels) were renewed along the two track line.
VolkerRail’s 125-tonne capacity Kirow 1200 crane helped to lift each unit into position, the heaviest of which was 37 tonnes.
SID director Liz Baldwin, said: “Hoo Junction was our first major S&C renewal in CP7, and I am really proud of the team coming together to deliver it successfully.
“It was great to see the Kirow lifting in the panels and to talk to the team as well as to three of our track apprentices who were out on site when I visited. I am really excited about the opportunities we have to deliver track even more safely and efficiently in CP7.”
Along with VolkerFitzpatrick, AtkinsRéalis, Octavius and Network Rail, VolkerRail is part of Southern Renewals Enterprise (SRE), and is responsible for track delivery for SID. The partners are working to deliver the southern region’s £9 billion renewals portfolio by 2034.
Since 1st April 2024, over £75 million of work has been completed under the SRE, across 1576 work sites. The S&C renewal at Hoo Junction is the first such project to be completed.
Liz Baldwin spoke at TransCityRail SOUTH earlier this month about the future of rail renewals, drawing upon her experience as the director of SID.
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Image credit: iStock and Rail Technology Magazine; video credit: VolkerRail
