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News & Media > Rail Services

08:07:2010

May Gurney: providing 'Access for All' at railway stations

Working on behalf of Network Rail, May Gurney has recently completed the first of several projects to improve access at railway stations across England and Scotland.

Network Rail is improving disabled access at 148 railway stations as part of the Railways for All Strategy. The Strategy is supported by a £370m ‘Access for All' (AFA) fund. Network Rail's mission is to develop stations which provide modern facilities while retaining their historic value, to the benefit of all users.

Accessibility improvements are particularly needed at many busy stations that currently only have stepped access, which make journeys difficult or impossible for passengers in wheelchairs, the elderly and those with pushchairs and heavy luggage.

May Gurney has recently completed work at Middlesbrough station, to the delight of station users, both staff and customers.

Nick Salt, operations director for May Gurney, said: "We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to support Network Rail and train operating company Northern Rail, putting the public first in everything we do.

“The May Gurney team is now in the process of delivering similar automatic lift/footbridge facilities at Huddersfield, Grimsby and Wellingborough to make access to these stations easier for all users."

For a programme of works as extensive as this, delivering each project with as little disruption to rail users as possible is critical. During the design phase of its projects Network Rail employs access consultants to advise on the impact the project will have on the accessibility of the station during and after the construction works.

These projects are much more than just pouring concrete and installing steelwork - installation of the lifts might be less than 50% of the work. Also important is ensuring that disruption to the operating environment is kept to a minimum.

Nick Salt said: "Our project delivery teams have more than 10 years' experience of working safely around the passengers and delivering to specific programmes and budgets.

“When we’re on site, we make sure that our work is segregated from the station environment - we want as much as possible to be the ‘invisible contractor'.

"That means installing appropriate hoardings that blend into the station environment as much as possible and minimise disruption to passengers. We also make sure we plan and co-ordinate all movement of material, both route and timing. For example, we don't take spoil through the station itself when we can avoid it. Site hygiene is very important. We always clean up thoroughly to make sure there's no evidence of work in progress or recently completed.

"We pride ourselves that during and after what is typically a £1m-£2m project we leave no mess. We also make sure we clean thoroughly, not just our works area, but the adjacent areas too so that the new works blend in well.

"We also coach our staff on courtesy - if they spot a rail user struggling with access or luggage they'll offer a helping hand. Altogether, it really makes a difference, a lasting impression."

May Gurney's programme of framework and tendered AFA projects is continuing in the Midlands, North East and Scotland. Looking ahead, the company has a similar project with train operating company ScotRail at Edinburgh Haymarket Station.

May Gurney's success in delivering AFA schemes will see further expansion of their service into the North West and other regions over the remainder of Network Rails control period (CP) 4 and into CP5.

AFA work is an opportunity to not only improve access for all but also to strengthen relationships with staff and rail users during the projects.

With 148 stations being improved throughout the UK, it is a significant opportunity for May Gurney to deliver efficient solutions for both Network Rail and the relevant train operating companies.

Click here to read the full railwaypeople.com news report.