Rail
Rail
The Opus Team is dedicated to producing high “quality work consistently, whilst remaining
”
receptive to implementing new ideas and concepts.
Steve Owen, Structures Assessment Engineer - Network Rail
We believe in moving ever forward; something you can’t do by resting on your laurels. As a diversely capable, global infrastructure consultancy, we leverage our richest talent to best effect on our client projects. Relationships are our lifeblood, so we nurture them by continually delivering on what we said we would. But in the end it’s not about us. Ultimately, we are here to enhance human endeavour; to help shape a better world for the communities our projects serve.
OUR SERVICES
W
e have a long standing history of working with Network Rail and other rail agencies for over 25 years. Our long term delivery of asset management and innovative design services has enabled us to develop an extensive understanding of the UK rail assets. This experience provides a very strong connection with Network Rail’s policy, practices and priorities and enables us to provide effective solutions which are closely aligned with their strategic aims. Opus has a team of dedicated Engineers and Technicians who are highly experienced in providing optimal solutions. We can offer a full range of services:
• Structural examinations and surveys • Structural assessment and analysis • Feasibility studies • Design of structural repair and maintenance schemes • Design of new structures • Station enhancements • Platform and civils design • Strategic asset management advise • Business plan production • Topographic and other measured surveys • Temporary works design • Risk assessments • Embankments - fill and stability analysis • Historical research
Opus International Consultants
NETWORK RAIL CIVILS ASSESSMENT (CAFA) FRAMEWORK Opus is part of a Civils Assessment (CAFA) Framework with Network Rail and is one of three Consultants appointed on the largest and busiest ‘London North Western’ route. Additionally, Opus has also been appointed to the national overspill Framework, for the provision of engineering support on the other nine Network Rail areas.
NR WALES ROUTE SUPPORT The Wales Route Asset Management team has a five-year budget set for the funding period (CP5) - approximately £30m per year - and Opus’ mandate is to help Network Rail save about £22m during this period. Service provided by Opus: • Strategic business plan development • Advising and compilation of 2014 civil adjustment mechanisms • Development and managing repair and renewals workbank and remits • Asset management plan development for tunnels and major structures • Hidden shaft investigation and remediation strategy • Support to the Network Rail Wales Building Team.
NORTHERN HUB PROJECT - NETWORK RAIL
MANAGING RAILWAY ASSETS - AMCO RAIL
Network Rail’s £560 million Northern Hub project is part of a plan to stimulate growth by moving more people around the region at greater efficiency than ever before. Opus has been selected as one of the key consultants, and are providing a range of services including independent category III checks of complex structures, embedded resource to assist Network Rail in reviewing submissions and inspections undertaken by other consultants and also work packages for the inspection and assessment of structures.
An asset management approach is utilised in Opus’ geotechnical work with AMCO, who are responsible for construction and maintenance projects on the railway, ranging from replacing railway fencing and handrails, tunnel re-pointing and bridge refurbishment projects to investigation and stabilisation of ancient mine workings and viaduct structures.
A key aspect of the project is to ensure that the historic structures live up to current loading limits. Such specialist knowledge and expertise is critical to ensure that the asset is appropriately managed. Opus has around 20 years experience in structure inspection and assessment including many iconic structures, such as Barmouth Viaduct and Ribblehead Viaduct. We have several separate ongoing commissions for examination and assessment of Network Rail’s assets.
This page: Eccles Bridge, Bridgeguard 3 Contract Works, Managing Railway Assets Back page: East West Rail Link, Station Enhancement, West Coast Main Line
Opus’ work focuses on the identification and remediation of ancient mining features on the railway, which include shallow mine workings, mine headings, shafts and bell pits which can pose a significant risk to Network Rail Infrastructure, as well as personnel working on the railway..
OPERATIONAL PROPERTY STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME Opus is assessing assets including canopies, undercrofts, stairways and walkways at around 90 stations in the London North West (LNW) route. Network Rail needs to understand the condition to enable them to prioritise any that require further assessment and remediation. A team is undertaking work to produce detailed desktop reports, site condition surveys and a risk-based prioritisation matrix to identify any assets to be taken to the assessment stage. The team will produce price models that are required in the second stage.
EAST WEST RAIL LINK - PHASE 1 TEMPORARY WORKS DESIGN Following appointment by Carillion -Buckingham Joint Venture, Opus is working on the extension on the East West Rail Link. The Phase 1 works entail upgrading the existing rail corridor between Oxford North Junction and Bicester to a predominately 100mph two-track railway with bridges and earthworks renewed or enhanced. Level crossings on the route will be replaced with new bridges and approaches. Opus is undertaking geotechnical, structural and civil designs and checks for the temporary works for the Phase 1 works, which extends for approx. 10 miles.
SECONDMENT OF STAFF - NETWORK RAIL Opus has senior management staff seconded to Network Rail headquarters to provide specialist advice on asset management and the development of their new Asset Management Manual. This formed part of the transformation programme as Network Rail approach the current Control Period CP5. We have also undertaken research into risk based examination techniques and remote condition monitoring on a National basis.
At route level, Opus have staff seconded into the Wales, Western, Wessex and London North Western (LNW) Routes. Our team in Wales has assisted in the production of their Strategic Business Plan and Civil Adjustment Mechanism Projects as well as the compilation of the Major Structures and Tunnels Asset Management Plan. Other work includes compiling an Asset Management Plan for Leeds Station, a Cross Asset Risk Prioritisation for defining risk factors and proving Asset Management and renewals support to the earthworks and drainage team
“Our link with the Network Rail Central team has been highly beneficial for the client. Due to our asset management expertise, Opus has staff placed in Network HQ where all the high level polices are set for the UK network. This project highlights that asset management is as much about people as it is about infrastructure.�
STATION ENHANCEMENT Opus have a broad experience in station upgrade works including the enhancement of seven existing stations at Llantwit, Bridgend, Aderdare, Abercynon North, Cwmbach, Penrhiceiber and Fernhill as well as a new station at Rhoose in South Wales. Refurbishment schemes at Chester and Blackpool North stations and platform extensions at Mirfield, Mossley and Marsden stations have also been completed. Opus also recently completed traffic analysis and car park re-development at Newport station for the Ryder Cup golf tournament. Other commissions have included refurbishment of Plymouth Station Subway and new access provision to Shore Road pumping station in Liverpool. 3D REVIT modelling was utilised by Opus to model options and assess buildability issues prior to starting at site. REVIT was also utilised to model and phase plan the demolition of the footbridge/ramps/canopies and ticket office at Rotherham station, as well as a current scheme for demolition works at Bowker Vale Metrolink Station.
Guy Dunscombe (Opus)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Guy Dunscombe Rail Director - South t. +44 1454 270080 m. +44 7789 506795 e. guy.dunscombe@opusinternational.co.uk
Martin Beasley Rail Director - North t. +44 1159 601200 m. +44 7786 560436 e. martin.beasley@opusinternational.co.uk
Opus International Consultants www.opusinternational.co.uk