Wales & Western - Civils Examination Services (Earthworks)

Civil examinations within Network Rail refer to the inspection, examination and reporting of structural assets to ensure the safety, reliability, and longevity of railway infrastructure. These examinations help identify defects, monitor structural integrity, and determine necessary maintenance or repair works to prevent failures and ensure continued safe operation of the rail network. An Earthwork examination shall be sufficient to identify or determine and record information to enable Network Rail to manage the safety and performance of the Earthwork in accordance with NR/L3/CIV/065.

Asset types to be examined

• Earthworks (as defined by NR/L3/CIV/065): Five chain lengths of Earthwork slope: a soil cutting, rock cutting embankment, or natural slope
• Coastal and Estuarine Defences that are formed of earthworks: A Structure that protects railway infrastructure against erosion or flooding by tidal waters. It includes protection works, which protect land against erosion and encroachment by such waters, and which perform no flood defence role; and defences, which protect against flooding or attack by such waters.
• Outside Party Slopes, whose failure may impact on Network Rail infrastructure, where the outside party is unable to provide a satisfactory management policy for the slope, will be, so far as is lawful, be subject to a cyclical examination.
• A cutting, embankment or natural slope, outside of the Network Rail boundary, owned or managed by an outside party, which may impact on Network Rail infrastructure. Where the outside party is unable to provide a satisfactory management policy for the slope or demonstrate by other means that it is being managed in a satisfactory manner, the slope will, so far as is lawful, be subject to a cyclical examination.

Examination Types

• Cyclical Earthwork Examination: These examinations are cyclical in accordance with the Task Schedule or as otherwise instructed by Employer's representative. The scope must adhere to SCHI, SEHI and/or RSHI in accordance with NR/L3/CIV/065
• Rapid Response Earthwork Examination: These examinations are for Emergency Situations as required. The scope is as required by Network Rail.
• Geotechnical Incident Report: These examinations are as required by Network Rail. The scope is in accordance with NR/L3/CIV/185.

Each Examination of an earthwork shall

• Include the production of a report.
• Include an examination to record and report the findings related to the condition of the earthworks including all necessary preparations and arrangements for access to the earthwork.
• Update and record data obtained during the examinations in the Network Rail Earthworks Database using Network Rail Earthworks Examination Software.
• Support the Employer’s Representative in the management and co-ordination of examination of earthworks.
• Include any vegetation clearance necessary to enable examinations of earthwork.
• Provide a rapid response service to attend and report on earthwork failures and Geotechnical incidents in accordance with NR/L3/CIV/065 and NR/L3/CIV/185.

In the later years of this Framework, the Geotech teams plan to move to non-traditional methods of examination. By integrating satellite data into core processes, and other observed data sets, the business can significantly reduce its reliance on traditional on-site examinations, enhancing efficiency and improving asset management decisions. Based on currently available information we are expecing the following:

• CP7 Y4 50% reduction in Condition A-C assets excluding rock cuttings
• CP7 Y5 70% reduction in Condition A-C assets excluding rock cuttings