Severn Estuary Rope Access Clearance Works

Overview

Ground Control Infrastructure’s Rope Access Team delivered the vegetation clearance and enabling works along the railway in the Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom.

This formed part of a multi-million-pound railway project, from an investment by Network Rail, to maintain a vital link between Newport and Gloucester stations.

In 2023, the project won the ‘Resilience Award, Phase One’ at the Institution of Civil Engineers Southwest Civil Engineering (ICE) Awards 2023.

Clearance works were needed over approximately one mile of land running adjacent to the railway and estuary waterway, on slopes up to 30 metres high.

Scope of works

Vegetation clearance works on the bordering slopes, approximately one mile long and up to 30 metres high; to enable the client to make repairs and install protective bank netting to stop vegetation, debris, and construction materials from falling onto the railway. 

The problem/challenges

The project was put in place to protect the line that connects Gloucester to Newport which faces regular damage due to extreme weather conditions; affecting tracks along the bank of the Severn Estuary, leading to line closures and causing disruption to passengers and freight trains carrying crucial goods for businesses.

The land bordering the railway is rugged, uneven, and steep with limited access permissible by private landowners.

The area is home to protected species including dormice and birds.

The company needed a safe and efficient solution that would enable them to access these difficult-to-reach areas safely; without putting workers, wildlife, or railway users at risk; and limiting disruption to local landowners and communities.

The solution

BAM, on behalf of Network Rail, deployed Ground Control’s team of IRATA-certified rope access specialists, to deliver the clearance and enabling works along the railway in the Severn Estuary.

The IRATA rope access method was highly effective as the team could access the vegetation from any angle and height and make multiple drops from their harnesses. The work could happen all during the day and while trains were running.

The team worked with ecologists to identify nesting species on-site, which included dormice and birds. The necessary exclusion zones and protection measures were implemented before the vegetation clearance started.

Ground Control formed good relationships with local farmers and landowners, which enabled them to access the land required safely, with peace of mind that the local communities were informed of the reason for the works, and were satisfied that it would leave a positive impact.

Results

By using IRATA rope access for the enabling works, the job was completed efficiently with minimal disruption, to people or wildlife.

The client could keep the trains running, guaranteeing safety and environmental protection.

The railway infrastructure along the Severn Estuary was brought up to standard, ensuring the safety and reliability of the railway operations in the area.

Ground Control plans to continue to work with BAM and Network Rail, keeping the vegetation along the estuary rail line, managed, healthy, and hazard-free throughout the seasons.

About IRATA SAT (Special Access Teams)

IRATA rope access solves maintenance challenges using industrial rope access techniques to provide a safe, working environment.

These techniques are also efficient, versatile, cost-effective, and leave a minimal environmental footprint.

Other use cases include:

• Structural De-Vegetation
• Invasive species control
• Roof maintenance
• Industrial Painting
• Industrial Cleaning
• Structural Surveys
• Scaling
• Fireproofing
• Brickwork Repair
• Ecological Surveys