Our Civils and Construction division delivers the civil engineering works that support the railway: access points and road rail access points, drainage, cable routes and under track crossings, bases for signalling and other lineside equipment, fencing, retaining walls, and platform and level crossing works, for Network Rail and principal contractors across the UK.
Led by Head of Civils and Construction Dave Bamford, our skilled workforce has extensive knowledge of rail and civils construction principles, with safety, expertise and professionalism at the core of everything we do.
Our multi-skilled teams are highly trained, competent and have extensive experience working on a wide range of rail and civils construction projects. Our people hold Personal Track Safety (PTS), Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) or Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) cards, as their roles require. This ensures that our workforce is well-equipped to work on rail infrastructure and civils projects safely and efficiently.
Specific training, dependent on the job role, such as Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) and Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS), is undertaken to supplement their core skills. We understand the importance of investing in our workforce’s skills and competencies to ensure that we can deliver the highest quality work for our customers.
For reliable project delivery, call 0330 113 0004. Led by Head of Civils and Construction Dave Bamford, our experienced team is ready to help.
Access points are essential to railway construction projects, allowing workers to enter and exit without disrupting train services. Proper planning and management of these access points ensures rail workers’ and the public’s safety.
Any Line Open (ALO) working is when plant works next to railway lines that stay open to trains. RSSB’s code of practice COP0032 describes it as working where open lines could, without controls, be foreseeably fouled by plant, its attachments or its loads. ALO planning puts those controls in place, such as limits on how far plant can slew or reach, so work can go ahead safely without closing the line.
Cable management organises, labels, and protects wires. This makes locating and maintaining these components straightforward. To manage cables, we deploy ducts or cable troughs.
Cable pulls install signalling, telecoms and power cables along the railway. Cables are pulled through ducts and troughing routes, secured, and labelled so they can be found and maintained later.
Catch pits are chambers in the track drainage system where silt and debris washed through the drainage pipes settle out, and where the system can be inspected and cleaned. Renewing damaged or silted catch pits keeps water flowing away from the track, protecting the trackbed.
Concrete and stone access roads are required for material transport. Haul roads are built for heavy loads and frequent use. These roadways are made of concrete or stone to withstand the elements.
Good drainage keeps water away from the track and earthworks, reducing erosion and damage to the trackbed. We repair, upgrade and install drainage, including V ditches (V-shaped lineside ditches).
Drivers’ walkways give train crew a safe, level route to walk alongside trains, typically in depots, sidings and yards. We plan and build them so staff can reach trains and move around the site safely.
Excavation involves removing earth or other materials to form a shape or foundation for a rail or construction project. This work may be needed to prepare a site for construction, create foundations, or expose underground services.
Fencing defines site boundaries, provides security and keeps workers and the public safe. We install temporary and permanent fencing in a range of materials. See our guide to railway lineside fencing types.
Civil and construction projects require kerbing and paving. It ensures safe, convenient facilities for all users, particularly pedestrians. A well-maintained kerbing and paving system ensures accessibility and reliability.
Laydown and compounds are areas for storing construction materials and equipment to enhance efficiency and safety. These areas help civil and construction projects organise, secure, and protect materials.
Level crossings are where roads or footpaths cross the railway on the level. We carry out construction and maintenance works at level crossings, helping keep road, rail and pedestrian users safe. See our level crossing services.
Lineside fencing ensures the safe and efficient operation of rail infrastructure. It prevents people and animals from entering the lines, provides visible obstacles, and indicates railway property boundaries.
Create bases for secure Location Cabinets (LOC) and Functional Supply Points (FSP) required to support S&T infrastructure.
Reinforced concrete bases, made of concrete strengthened with steel reinforcement, provide foundations for lineside equipment such as signals, location cases and other infrastructure.
Retaining walls keep soil and other materials from sliding or collapsing. Construction and maintenance of these walls, used to support rail tracks, roads, and other infrastructure, requires specialised knowledge and techniques.
Road Rail Access Points (RRAPs) are where road-rail vehicles and on-track plant get on and off the track, close to where the work is. We deliver RRAP works, including the Frouds Lane RRAP removal. Read our guide: what is an RRAP?
Signal bases support train-controlling signalling equipment on the rail infrastructure. Their construction and maintenance require specialised expertise and skills.
Construction site management involves planning, coordinating, and overseeing. Effective site management involves coordinating the work of contractors and teams and completing projects on schedule and within budget. Site management includes implementing safety protocols and resolving project concerns.
Cable troughing is a route of concrete or plastic troughs laid alongside the track to carry and protect signalling, telecoms and power cables. We install new troughing routes and renew damaged ones.
A UTX (under track crossing) is a duct route that carries cables beneath the railway, and a URX (under road crossing) carries them beneath a road, such as an access road. We install UTXs and URXs, and also carry out platform works.
A UTX, or under track crossing, is a duct route that carries cables beneath the railway so they can cross from one side of the line to the other. A URX (under road crossing) does the same beneath a road. Our Civils team installs both.
ALO working is when plant works next to railway lines that remain open to trains. RSSB’s code of practice COP0032 sets out how to control the risk of plant, attachments or loads fouling an open line, so the work can go ahead without closing it.
Safety, expertise, and professionalism form the bedrock of our Civils & Construction division. Our team boasts extensive experience in rail and civils projects, consistently achieving high levels of customer satisfaction. We provide comprehensive, tailored solutions, meeting specific project requirements with our highly trained and knowledgeable multi-skilled workforce.
Our employees hold essential qualifications, including Personal Track Safety (PTS), Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), and Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS). Further training, such as Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) and Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS), is provided based on individual job roles. This commitment to training ensures our clients receive a comprehensive package, covering everything from Ancillary Civils to PTS-based projects.
One of the most significant benefits for clients is our ability to offer integrated solutions from a single supplier by combining our diverse range of services. This streamlined approach eliminates the need for multiple contractors, simplifies project management, and enhances efficiency.
Safety is paramount in all our operations, particularly within the Civils & Construction division. We implement stringent safety measures, including exclusion zones and People Plant Interface (PPI) guidelines, to ensure safe worker-plant interactions. Comprehensive training equips our staff to identify and address potential risks, fostering a proactive safety culture.
“Close Calls” are an integral part of our safety culture. We encourage staff to identify, report, and address near misses or unsafe practices immediately if it is safe to do so. This proactive approach helps prevent potential incidents and promotes a culture of continuous safety improvement.
Beyond exclusion zones, PPE, and PPI guidelines, RSS Infrastructure invests heavily in cutting-edge safety systems and technologies to ensure workforce and trackside safety. This dedication has earned us recognition, including the Rail Business Awards Safety and Security Excellence Award.
Our team of experts is dedicated to delivering projects on time, within budget, and with the highest safety standards. We combine our wealth of knowledge, experience, and unwavering commitment to safety to provide reliable and efficient solutions that exceed client expectations.
We provide a comprehensive range of services, including: Access Points, ALO Planning Management, Cable Management & Pulls, Catch Pit Renewals, Concrete and Stone Access/Haul Roads, Drainage/V ditch Enhancements, Drivers Walkways, Ducting & Cable Troughing, Excavation Work, Fencing, IBJ Installation, Kerbing and Paving, Lay Down & Compounds, Level Crossing Works, Lineside Fencing, LOC/FSP Bases, OLE Bases & Buried Services, P/Way Works/Sidings, Plain Line Renewals, Reinforced Concrete Bases, Retaining Walls, Road Rail Access Points (RRAP), S+C Installation, Signal Bases, Site Management, Track Access Solutions, Track Drainage, Palisade Fencing, Troughing Routes & Renewal, UTX/URX and Platform Works, and Vegetation Management.
The Head of Civils & Construction at RSS Infrastructure is Dave Bamford. He has extensive experience working on rail and civils projects. You can reach him by phone at 07900 741 624 or by email at dave.bamford@rssinfrastructure.com.
Dave is proud to lead a team of highly qualified employees who hold certifications such as Personal Track Safety (PTS), Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), and Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS). To further enhance their skills, his team receives role-specific training, including the Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) and Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS), ensuring they maintain the industry’s highest safety and competency standards.
On Monday, March 17th, 2025, Newsham Station officially opened to the public as part of the Northumberland Line reintroduction—an important step forward for the local community.
Excellence in level crossing services is defined by safety, efficiency, and innovation. Leading the way in this sector, we demonstrate our commitment through a unique mentoring process, advanced geofencing technology, and comprehensive in-house capabilities in possession planning.
Railway lineside fencing is the boundary fence between the railway and neighbouring land.
