ARB Access appointed Primary Consultant on Network Rail’s Western route earthworks framework

ARB Access Group has been appointed Primary Consultant on Network Rail’s Civils Examination Services (Earthworks) Framework for the Western route, in a multi-year award that runs for an initial four years with the option to extend to eight.

Under the framework, ARB Access will deliver the cyclical examination of cuttings and embankments across the Western route, from London Paddington through the Thames Valley, the West of England and into the South West, together with rapid-response examinations following storms, flooding and other incidents, and the vegetation enabling works that make those examinations possible.

The award builds on ARB Access’s established earthworks examination and vegetation management work for Network Rail on other routes, and brings together the two halves of the business - certified earthworks examiners and specialist arboricultural teams - under a single direct contract with Network Rail for the first time on this scale.

Examinations begin this autumn, with ARB Access’s teams working through the October-to-March examination season each year to inspect thousands of earthwork sections and report their condition into Network Rail’s national earthworks database.

Sam Marsden-Urquhart, Director at ARB Access, said:

“This is great news for the business and marks the execution of a key strategic growth opportunity for us. Our aim has always been to widen what we offer Network Rail, and to offer it across the country, and this award does exactly that.

“What makes it work is having the examiners and the arb teams in the same business. Too often an examination is held up because the slope can’t be seen. With our own crews clearing the vegetation ahead of our own examiners, we can programme both together, keep the work bank moving and give Network Rail a clear picture of the condition of its earthworks when it needs it.

“Ultimately that is what this is about: a railway that is more assured and more reliable. Every examination we complete on time and to standard is a small part of keeping the Western route running safely for the people who depend on it.”

ARB Access is recruiting earthworks examiners, arboricultural operatives with rail experience and planning staff to support the framework. Details are available on the careers page.