Harlow Town Station

Harlow Town Station

Project Dates and Scope:

  • Condition surveys and feasibility study Feb 18 to April 18
  • Detailed condition survey of the existing fascia
  • Development of GRP fascia panel and fixing design to meet TOC and NR standards
  • Sample installation for heritage approval and listed building consent
  • Fascia Board Replacement Nov 18 to Feb 20?Removal of existing ply fascia boards
  • Replacement of timber substrate frames and T&G soffits
  • Installation of GRP fascia boards
  • Replacement of roof trims
  • Painting metal windows
  • Access scaffolding and temporary handrails

Project Specific Rail Environment Measures

Harlow Town Station is a Grade II listed building on the main line between Stanstead Airport and London Liverpool Street stations. The station has 4 platforms accessed by an overbridge from the main station building. All 4 lines are electrified with OLE. The station is a busy commuter station and had to remain operational throughout the works.

  • Roof works to the main station building were carried out during traffic hours.
  • Roof works to the overbridge, staircases and platform canopies were carried out during a series of weekend
    possessions with OLE isolations spread over 12 months.
  • Due to limited possession availability the following contingency measures were implemented:
    • Detailed resource loaded primavera programme produced for each possession and monitored during each possession
    • Planning meetings with all trades, supervisors and safety critical staff carried out on site ahead of possessions
    • Line blocks booked and used for enabling works and intrusive surveys
    • Contingency resources available during possessions
    • Trackside storage locations established to reduce set up and hand back times during each possession
    • Scaffold access combined with roof anchor access to maximise number of work fronts available in each possession
    • Same safety critical team used throughout the project to maintain knowledge of the works and work methods
      being used even though possessions spread out over twelve months

Project Specific Rail Operations Measures:

Brief Methodology
All works were carried out to the outside of the building and to roofs and canopies. The works were accessed from fixed scaffolds, tower scaffolds and MEWPS. Fixed scaffolding for access onto roofs was secured behind fencing. Exclusion zones were set up around all work areas. Works in public areas were carried out during off peak hours. Clear safe access for passengers, and station staff, was maintained at all times. A secure site compound, storage and preparation area were set up next to the station building. Equipment and materials in public areas were not left unattended at any time. Equipment and materials were carried through the station public areas only during off peak hours. Any long items were carried by two operatives – one at each end. Platform works were carried out during possessions and OLE isolations in accordance with Network Rail arrangements and rules.


Safety Management
All works were carried out in accordance with the Construction Phase Plan, Works Package Plan and Task Briefing. Trackside works were also carried out in accordance with the Safe Work Pack. All safety documentation was produced by the H.A. Marks Project Manager and Safe System of Works Planner. All safety documentation was
produced in accordance with Greater Anglia and Network Rail requirements in addition to HA Marks safety policies and procedures. Temporary works were managed by the HA Marks CRE and Temporary Works Coordinator. The CRE engaged with Greater Anglia and Network Rail to agree the most efficient scaffolding and lifting solutions to be used for the different site locations. The CRE then ensured that suitable design, design checks and design assurance documentation was completed and approved in time to meet the programme.

All works were supervised by the H.A. Marks Site Manager and H.A. Marks COSS’s . Site safety inspections and audits were carried out by HA Marks management, Greater Anglia management and Network Rail Asset Protection team. H.A. Marks ensured that all staff had suitable health and safety training and experience for the nature of the works. Rail experienced supervisors and operatives were used for these works. In addition, supervisors and operatives carried out SMSTS training and Work at Height training to meet the specific requirements of the project.


Quality Management
Works were carried out to a Grade II listed building. It was important that the quality of works carried out matched the quality of the original building. The H.A. Marks project team took pride in the works being carried out. H.A. Marks skilled and experienced specialist trades carried out the works. Specialist subcontractors were used for roof trim works based on their specialist accreditation and based on previous works that they had carried out for H.A. Marks as an approved supplier. Sample work areas were prepared and reviewed at the start of the project. Inspection and test plans were followed for all trades and checksheets completed as works progressed. Quality inspections were carried out with the client during each possession.

Environmental Management
Letter drops were carried out to neighbours to keep them informed of out of hours works. Good practice was implemented on site to reduce unnecessary noise such as vehicles switched off when not in use and preparation works carried out during the day to reduce noisy works at night. All waste was removed from site using a licensed waste carrier and copies of waste transfer notes retained for monitoring purposes.

Working at Rail Stations/Depots
H.A. Marks Site Manager liaised with station staff and tenants to ensure that works caused minimum disruption to the station operation. Exclusion zones were set up around all work areas. Works in public areas were carried out during off peak hours. Clear safe access for passengers, and station staff, was maintained at all times. Platform works were carried out during possessions and OLE isolations in accordance with Network Rail arrangements and rules.

Project Outcomes
Works were delivered to a high quality standard under the time pressure of limited possessions. High risk work at height was carried out safely in all seasons with no accidents. These project outcomes were achieved by working collaboratively with the Greater Anglia team at all levels and by carrying out detailed advanced planning of
possession works.

Project Team
Project Manager: Grainne Wood
Site Manager: James Molloy
Construction Manager: Karl Webb

Project Sector(s)