Strength in numbers
As one of Britain’s biggest builders, Network Rail has been forced to recalibrate its infrastructure and engineering functions, in order to keep worksites open and to ensure that essential maintenance and renewals can continue uninterrupted.
One of several thousand people affected by these necessary changes is Natalie
Whitehead, an area depot manager for
NR’s Whitemoor and Toton materials and aggregates yards.
Managing a combined staff of 32 people, Natalie is responsible for all operations at the sites - including the loading and unloading of wagons needed to support NR’s construction activities across the network.
During a typical week, the workload can range from 20 wagons to more than 100. And the Easter Bank Holiday weekend is a particularly busy time, given the number of engineering possessions that have historically been taken during holiday periods.
Says Natalie: “Our main priority is to make sure that the wagons are loaded and returned on time, which we’re largely still able to do as normal. Staff are going into self-isolation if required, vulnerable people have been sent home, and we’ve split the workforce into two teams to ensure social distancing can be observed without affecting our output too much.
“This also helps with keeping people separated when they’re taking breaks or getting changed at the start or end of shifts, and we make sure that the cleaners are following close behind them to disinfect things.”
Natalie says that staff have been issued with extra masks and personal protective equipment, although this is not always comfortable to wear on top of the high levels of PPE they would already be expected to wear when dealing with aggregates and other materials in the yard.
Having recently had a baby, Natalie is also acutely aware of the increased risks being taken by all colleagues who are unable to work from home. But she has been impressed by the robust response of her team and their collective strength that she has been able to draw from.
“When the Prime Minister announced the lockdown on the telly (on March 23), I remember coming in to work the next day and seeing fully grown men look to me for guidance and support. Understandably people are worried, but we’re all looking out for one another and everybody’s been great. It feels like we’ve become a lot closer metaphorically - even if we’re having to stay further apart physically.
“I’m only 27 years old and I’m trying to manage having recently had a baby and then being responsible for my staff, but you just go with it and I’ve had a lot of support and help from management.
“All of this has taught me a lot and I have such a strong team which has made it much easier for me. They’re making the best of a bad situation and you can’t help but feel proud to be part of a national movement to keep key workers and vital freight moving.”