NR NR/L2/CIV/086/MOD09 ISSUE 2 PDF

This document covers the procedures for: 

a) selecting earthworks (or Operational Route Sections) for inclusion in an A/EWP 

b) identifying the actions to be taken during A/EW events to maintain levels of safety and performance

c) developing, reviewing and updating an A/EWP.

d) geotechnical considerations when risk ranking Operational Route Sections (ORS)

These procedures apply to all earthworks within the Network Rail boundary, and slopes outside of the boundary which may affect the Network Rail infrastructure.

The Convective Analysis Tool (CAT) identifies developing storms which can lead to very intense rainfall totals at short notice. Business processes associated with mitigations in response to CAT are not covered within this document, with the exception of ORS risk ranking guidance (which is described in Appendix C).

NOTE: For more information about business processes in response to intense rainfall or emergency events consult NR/L2/OPS/021 and NR/L3/OPS/021/08

The threat of A/EW to earthworks relates to intense or prolonged rainfall or flooding. It does not include strong winds or periods of drought. Risks associated with clay shrinkage impacting track quality should be managed within the appropriate seasonal preparedness window in advance of Summer.

Purpose 

The purpose of this module is to identify assets or Operational Route Sections (ORS) that are to be included in an Adverse/Extreme Weather Plan (A/EWP). The A/EWP is a controlled list of asset locations that are included within the Integrated Weather Management Plan (IWMP), which every Route is required to have under the operational control framework. 

Earthworks identified from risk assessment as Risk level 4 (as described in AppendixA.5) will be reviewed for potential inclusion, to which additional sites may be added to from local knowledge and through core business processes (e.g. earthwork evaluation). 

This procedure manages the control, ‘weather – managing operational risk’ mitigating the following risks:

a) loss of track support; or

b) loss of gauge capability.