Rail Operations
RSSI Awarded NR Anglia Permanent Way Minor Works Framework
RSS Infrastructure (RSSI) is delighted to announce that we have been awarded the prestigious NR Anglia Permanent Way Minor Works framework contract.
Our Rail Operations team plans and supports the work needed to get people and plant onto the railway safely: access and possession planning, safe system of work planning, lift planning, programme planning in P6 Primavera, and the safety-critical staff to deliver it. A large part of our work is on the Permanent Way (P-Way): track renewals and maintenance, including track beds, rails, sleepers, drainage, fencing and other railway assets. We work alongside clients’ own teams on Network Rail infrastructure across the UK. Our team scopes, coordinates, supports and manages projects, using proven methods combined with planning and review to check every aspect of the work.
Our expertise in Possession Management, Isolation Management and Safety-Critical services is extensive, and we deliver Permanent Way (P-Way) works too, from track bed and drainage work to rail and sleeper renewals and fencing. Access planning is also part of our skillset and enables efficient completion of work. Regardless of the size or scale of your project, our Rail Operations team ensures everyone returns home safely each day.
Our team of specialists, acting as your trusted partner, provides tailored infrastructure solutions to support your delivery needs. With Rail Operations’ project management experience spanning many areas such as rail engineering services, health and safety compliance, and safety-critical working, you can rely on us to help and support your business in completing projects. Our key skill is to collaborate with you to define the project scope and identify gaps in knowledge, expertise, or capability to ensure successful delivery. We can provide safety-critical advice, recommend ancillary services to supplement your offering, and provide critical insights into your bids or tendering process.
A safe system of work sets out how a job on or near the line will be done safely: the hazards, the protection or warning arrangements, access and egress, and who is in charge. On Network Rail infrastructure it is planned under standard NR/L2/OHS/019 and recorded in a Safe Work Pack (SWP).
Three roles are involved: a Responsible Manager authorises the plan, a Planner prepares it, and a Person in Charge (a COSS, or an IWA when working alone) checks it and puts it into practice on site. The planner must choose the highest suitable level from a hierarchy that puts protection from trains ahead of warning. Our Safe System of Work Planners prepare safe work packs for clients across the network. Read our guide to safe system of work planning.
Lift Planning in the railway sector is essential for the safe and efficient handling of heavy materials around railway infrastructure. It involves meticulous planning and specialised expertise to mitigate risks associated with people, equipment, and railway interfaces.
Key elements include risk assessment, identifying hazards in lifting operations near tracks, and equipment selection, ensuring machinery is suitable for the railway environment. Accurate load calculations are crucial to match lifting equipment to the weight and size of materials. Clearance analysis evaluates available space and potential obstructions, such as overhead lines or platforms, while coordination with railway operations minimises service disruptions and ensures staff and passenger safety. All activities must comply with railway safety standards and regulations.
Successful lift planning demands collaboration between lifting specialists, railway engineers, and safety professionals. This tailored approach reduces accident risks, protects infrastructure, and maintains operational integrity during material handling in railway environments.
Possession planning decides what work will happen in a possession, where, and in what order, so that several contractors can work safely in the same possession without conflict. We help clients choose the most suitable access method, coordinate with other contractors, and plan the work, plant and engineering trains to make the most of the possession window.
Our Possession Management team makes engineering access applications in Network Rail’s Possession Planning System (PPS), supports PICOP briefings and prepares the possession documentation and safe work packs.
P6 Primavera Planning is a specialised project management tool widely used in the rail sector to efficiently coordinate and deliver complex projects. It streamlines key aspects of project planning and execution, ensuring effective resource management and enhanced safety.
The software facilitates project organisation, enabling consultants and planners to structure rail projects systematically. It improves time management, allowing clients to focus on delivery by simplifying scheduling processes. Resource allocation is optimised through effective management of personnel and equipment across various project phases.
With expertise assurance, clients benefit from the competence and experience of qualified professionals using P6 Primavera. The tool also supports safety measures, ensuring workers have safe access during rail projects. Additionally, it aids in project coordination, handling multiple operational aspects simultaneously.
By leveraging P6 Primavera, rail organisations can improve planning precision, ensure safer work environments, and enhance overall project delivery efficiency.
A safe system of work is the planned way a job on or near the line will be done safely, including how people will be protected from trains. On Network Rail infrastructure it is planned under standard NR/L2/OHS/019, recorded in a Safe Work Pack, and chosen from a hierarchy that puts protection from trains ahead of warning. Read our guide to safe system of work planning.
A Safe Work Pack (SWP) records the safe system of work for a job: the work, the location, the hazards and controls, access and egress, and the protection or warning arrangements. It is prepared by a planner, authorised by a Responsible Manager and verified by the Person in Charge, and must be ready at least a shift before the work.
RSS Infrastructure provides a comprehensive range of rail services, specialising in:
We are committed to high standards of safety, quality and efficiency. We achieve this by:
RSSI has a proven track record with successful delivery on high-profile projects, including HS2, Crossrail, Brent Cross Upgrades, and the Birmingham Proof House Re-modelling. Notable examples include:
In 2025 we were awarded Network Rail Anglia’s Permanent Way Minor Works framework.
RSSI provided a range of services for this project, including Possession Planning and Management, Isolations, Worksite Management, De-vegetation, Fence Installation, and Civils work. Key aspects included:
RSSI worked closely with Amey to deliver skilled personnel for isolations, including:
In addition to its core rail operations, RSS Infrastructure (RSSI) offers a wide range of infrastructure solutions designed to meet various project needs, including:
You can contact the RSS Infrastructure team via the following channels: Phone: 0330 113 0004. Email: info@rssinfrastructure.com. By Post: RSS Infrastructure Ltd, Tech Block, Gee Business Centre, Birmingham B7 5JR
RSS Infrastructure sets itself apart through its commitment to:
To reach the Rail Operations team at RSS Infrastructure, you can directly contact John Byrne, the Head of Rail Operations. With extensive experience in the rail sector, particularly in possession planning and management, John is well-equipped to assist with any rail operations inquiries. His contact details are: Phone 07801 722 928 or Email john.byrne@rssinfrastructure.com
John Byrne has played a key role in complex projects such as the SAS Bridge Skanska HS2 Project, where his team handled possession planning, isolations, worksite management, de-vegetation, fence installation, and civils work. His expertise and his team’s collaboration with Skanska and Network Rail during pre-planning meetings make him an ideal point of contact for rail operations and possession management.
RSS Infrastructure (RSSI) is delighted to announce that we have been awarded the prestigious NR Anglia Permanent Way Minor Works framework contract.
A wet bed (or wet spot) is a length of railway track where water and fine soil from below have worked up into the ballast.
Raising close calls is an important practice for improving safety in the rail industry. A close call is an incident or near-miss that could have resulted in an accident or injury, but did not.