Background

Under the Earthwork Examinations Framework, GeoAccess provides 24/7 rapid response cover across the Network Rail Southern and Wales & Western regions.

When an earthwork or slope failure occurs, GeoAccess is often the first on site, delivering immediate situation reports and risk assessments. This fast, expert response is essential to determine the severity of failures and assess the potential or actual risks to safe railway operations.

By supplying real-time technical data directly to Network Rail, GeoAccess enables informed decision-making, helping keep passenger and freight services moving safely.

Method

At GeoAccess, our Earthwork Examiners and Earthwork Examining Engineers are at the core of our service delivery. Their expertise underpins the safety of the railway, and our training ensures they meet the highest standards. Developed to comply with NR standard CIV1000/04 (Competence Management for Earthworks), our bespoke two-week programme creates highly capable specialists who deliver accurate and consistent earthwork inspection data. This information is essential for Network Rail when shaping long-term earthwork asset management strategies.
Our Examiners also support our 24/7 incident response capability. Often first on site during an earthwork emergency, they provide immediate, actionable intelligence to help stakeholders manage risk, restore safety, and make informed decisions quickly.

With the introduction of high-resolution data (HRD) for remote inspections, we are expanding the use of drones to capture detailed imagery of earthworks. Several of our Earthwork Examiners and Engineers are qualified drone pilots, enabling us to capture HRD that meets the requirements of NR standard CIV065. Remote inspections improve safety, reduce the need for access to challenging terrain, and lower the number of non-compliant inspections across the network.

Results & Conclusion

The failure of an earthwork or slope can cause major operational and financial disruption for Network Rail. The GeoAccess Rapid Response Team mitigates this by:

• Delivering incident attendance within two hours
• Providing fast, expert assessment of earthwork failures
• Recommending appropriate safety measures while enabling services to resume quickly
• Minimising the duration of line closures and disruption to passengers and freight

Through this service, GeoAccess plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety, reliability, and resilience of the UK rail network, ensuring Network Rail can act quickly and decisively in emergency earthwork situations.