MAJOR PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Running from 2015 to July 2018, the Oxford Remodelling project has introduced a new track layout and signalling system in the Oxford area to improve punctuality and reliability. It also enabled the introduction of new services into London when Chiltern Railways commenced its Marylebone-Oxford services via Bicester in 2016.
The project was delivered on time and on budget following early engagement with contractors and effective integration with the supply chain, while the last of four commissioning works was delivered over 23 days during a very hot summer with no losttime accidents or incidents. Only three complaints were received from the public, despite extensive night time work.
Disruption was also kept to a minimum by integrating with Great Western Railway to enable a reduced passenger service to run between Oxford and Reading during the final commissioning, while the twice-daily freight service to BMW’s central assembly plant at Cowley was able to continue uninterrupted.
There was also a strong focus on reducing energy costs, carbon emissions and noise through the use of hydrogen-powered lighting towers, plus other environmental improvements including the use of portable dust cannons to envelop airborne dust, encouraging staff to cycle to work, recycling ballast, and the installation of an Electric Vehicle charging point for staff and visitors.
An enhanced habitat area was also created on the site of old sidings using locally sourced native species, and bird and bat boxes that will improve the biodiversity of the habitat. Evergreen trees were selected to visually enhance the area and to reduce operational noise for lineside neighbours throughout the year.
The overall programme was also maintained despite the collapse of Carillion and then MGB Engineering, with the decision to establish Western Enhancements Delivery as a Network Rail Principal Contractor credited with saving up to £20 million in additional costs compared with the alternative of delaying commissioning by a year.
The judges said they were impressed by the way the project had been developed and managed to meet the objectives of 15 different funders and, in particular, how it responded to the failure of the main contractor.