Offering a fresh approach to rail projects through better supply chain solutions -Glenn Clark, RCU Solutions

RCU Solutions offers a fresh approach to projects in the rail, construction and utilities sectors. Led by myself and our Operations Director Nick Carroll, RCU Solutions delivers projects on budget, on programme and without compromising on quality or safety.  

We work with a diverse supply chain to deliver multi-disciplinary projects across a variety of industries. Whatever the scale of the project, our teams can provide the right solutions using their expertise in the civils, E&P and telecoms disciplines. 

Myself and Nick started the business back in 2016, initially working from home. We quickly grew the business through successful project delivery and have had to move twice since due to outgrowing our office space. Today we have a team of 78 staff (and growing) working across our divisions who help us deliver day in, day out for all of our clients. 

We founded the business on the principles of being better than the competition and offering solutions to our clients’ specific needs. Since Nick and myself used to work client side, we recognise the challenges that using a poor supply chain can bring and we promised to provide a better quality service for all of our clients when they choose to work with RCU.  

Last year was a big step for the business, as we won a major rail contract with Siemens Mobility to carry out a lot of the civils work for Phase 3 of the Victoria re-signalling programme.  

Work on this phase of the project is now underway and involves replacement of all signalling equipment in the Clapham and Balham areas, and lines into London Victoria as well as relocation of signalling control for the area from Clapham to the state-of-the-art Three Bridges Rail Operating Centre (TBROC).  

Other work involves upgrade of track at key junctions surrounding Clapham and Balham with new, more reliable equipment. A new and improved track layout will be installed between Clapham and Victoria stations, improving line speeds and reliability. 

Our core work scope is delivering the lineside civils package of works for the project: 

Gap analysis of existing available information. 

• 6x cable route work packages (packages 1-5 &7). Circa of 3000m of ground route troughing. 
• 4x level ground loc bases (CJ105, CJ116, CJ121). 
• 5x minor retaining wall loc bases (CJ103, CJ108, CJ112, CJ118, CJ120) 
• 5x loc suites on stagings (CJ107, CJ110, CJ111, CJ113, CJ115). 
• 1x Signalling REB base, 12.2m x 3.2m (CJ104). 

• 3x PSP bases, 14m x 3m (Queensroad, Wandsworth, Streatham). 
• 6x Under Track Crossings (UTX) o 4x 2 road (UTX 1, 2, 8) o 1x 5 road (UTX 3) o 1x 1 road (UTX 8). 
• 30x bases, posts, standing areas and walkways as specified to accommodate SPTs. 
• 8x Platform TDEU’s across Clapham Junction. 

We are also working on the construction of Ground Position Lights (GPL) bases as per the scheme plans along with the construction of Sign bases and associated post and caps as per the scheme plans. 

To compliment our main core work scope our deliverables also include: 

• Any temporary works design, management and lifting plans required to complete these services. 

• Production and management of all construction ITPs. 
• Production and supervision of entry into service documentation and processes. 
• Production of red line drawings/updates. Submitting to the designer and liaising; for production and completion of AsBuilt drawings. 

Whilst delivering these works, we are also providing an IRSE SMTH and HV competent cable watcher as required within our teams. 

As we move into 2022, we have a lot of exciting developments in the pipeline for our business. We’re currently rolling out a new digital solution; SimPro, a cloud-based job and project management software, which will make a huge different to the way we operate.  

We’re also continuing our commitment to holding and maintaining the latest industry standard requirements, by working towards gaining NERS for our Utilities division along with working within the principles of ISO 44001 Collaborative working and gaining this certification in the near future. 

The future looks bright for RCU Solutions and we’re always keen to speak to organisations that are looking for support in the rail, construction and utilities sectors. If you’d like to discuss your requirements get in touch at info@rcusolutions.co.uk or call 02030 316511.  

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