Background

Accessing railway earthworks for inspection often presents significant challenges, especially where no authorised access point is available or line blocks are difficult to secure. To address this, GeoAccess deployed Alternative Access methods to enable safe and efficient examinations across Network Rail routes.

The inspection team included an IRATA Level 1 Examiner, a COSS, an IRATA Level 3 Supervisor, rope access-trained vegetation clearance operatives, and all safety critical staff.

By combining ladder systems, rope access techniques, vegetation clearance, and temporary fence removal/reinstatement, GeoAccess ensured full accessibility to remote and restricted railway environments without disrupting the operational network.

Method

Planning and safety were central to the success of the project. GeoAccess utilised local knowledge, Google Maps, Street View, and AiVR technology to pre-plan multiple access routes, considering parking, safe entry, and logistical challenges.

A hallmark of the approach was adaptability: teams prepared 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th contingency routes, ensuring that inspections could proceed despite unforeseen barriers. Dynamic risk assessments were continuously applied on-site, with the team empowered to pause, re-plan, and mitigate hazards as conditions evolved.

Because access often required crossing private land, the team maintained strong landowner communications and a professional presence, ensuring cooperation and minimising disruption. Vehicle logistics were also managed carefully to prevent obstruction in limited-access areas.

With frequent communication and team flexibility, GeoAccess successfully delivered examinations while prioritising Network Rail’s safety commitment: “Everyone home safe, every day.”

Innovations & Solutions

• Minimised disruption to operational railway lines by avoiding the need for line blocks and possessions.
• Daytime working hours replaced weekend night shifts, boosting team morale and reducing reliance on task lighting.
• Improved visibility during daytime access enhanced the quality of inspections.
• Cost-effective solutions avoided additional planning charges associated with traditional access methods.

Results & Conclusion

Through innovative alternative access methods, GeoAccess achieved:

• Full independence from GZAC, WON, and Signaller discretion.
• Reduced risk of programme slippage with a “get it right first time” approach.
• Reliable access to hard-to-reach, off-track locations.
• Significant cost savings for Network Rail through reduced planning overheads.
• Safer, more efficient weekday daytime working, enhancing both inspection quality and team wellbeing.

This project demonstrates how GeoAccess’s expertise in rope access and alternative access solutions provides Network Rail with reliable, safe, and cost-efficient methods for railway earthwork inspections across the UK.