Providing a solid platform for major resignalling work

Managing Director of RCU Solutions, Glenn Clark, discusses the award of their first Siemens Mobility contract and the important role the company has to play for the railways.

RCU Solutions last month won a major contract with Siemens Mobility Limited to deliver civils work for Phase 3 of the Victoria Resignalling Programme. The vital work forms part of Network Rail’s £750 million Sussex Railway Upgrade Plan, which will see aging equipment across the Sussex region replaced by new, reliable network-based digital signalling and train control solutions.

The news will come as no shock to the Tier-1 contractors and Network Rail staff that have previously worked with the innovative project build specialists, which also supplies highly-skilled labour across the UK rail network.

RCU Solutions’ experience has grown as it has honed its skills project-by-project to provide a reliable, experienced team with a multi-disciplinary skillset. It is something that continues to accelerate under the leadership of Managing Director Glenn Clark, who brings a vast amount of industry knowledge to the company, having previously worked for Network Rail and a variety of Tier-1 contractors.

“This contract is a big achievement for us and is recognition of what we have been doing in the last few years,” he said. “This type of longer-term contract within our rail side of the business also means that we can build and focus more to the future, which will see us continue bolstering our team with hiring new staff along with taking on apprentices.”

“We won this civils package contract against stiff competition and I think it was down to our track record, the fact of that we work collaboratively with our clients to safely deliver works within tight timescales.”

It was announced that Siemens Mobility would be delivering Phase 3 of the programme in March this year. This part of the project covers the area between Victoria and Streatham Hill, as well as the West London Lines from Clapham Junction towards Shepherd’s Bush.

As principal contractor, Siemens Mobility will be responsible for all signalling, telecoms, civil engineering, electrification and plant, new trackside 650v feeder and associated principal supply points and associated track works.

“Timescales will be tight on this project with the majority of the civils work needing to be wrapped up at the backend of this year to early next year,” said Glenn, who has previously worked on some high-profile projects including FTN GSM-R Roll Out, Thameslink K01 & K02, Reading Station Area Redevelopment (RSAR) to name a few.

“It is always exciting to be working on the bigger projects like these and to help with this job in particularly I’ll be bringing in people who I’ve worked with previously who can help ensure that we deliver and deliver on time.

“I think this contract will open up further opportunities for us and there will be a lot of eyes on us to see how we get on. But I have no doubts on our capabilities and this work for Siemens Mobility will carry on our momentum in the rail industry.”

The final Phase 3 commissioning is scheduled to take place with a nine-day blockade over Christmas and New Year 2022.

Glenn said: “The key to the successful completion of this project is going to be working collaboratively with the designers and our clients. We’ll be working together as one team and one goal. We’re there to deliver a job for Siemens Mobility and we want to be a long-term partner in the years ahead so it is essential we do it well and do it safely.”

The Siemens Mobility contract builds on to RCU’s portfolio of works which grows year on year. The company has built up an impressive track record for delivering telecoms and civils projects with clients having the reassurance that the people behind the scenes of the company actually know what they are doing.

Earlier on this year RCU Solutions was appointed to work in partnership with Lightspeed Broadband commencing fibre roll out across South Lincolnshire.

Glenn said: “We’ve had a lot of opportunity in the utilities sector and seen huge growth in recent years. The process with the utilities is a lot quicker than with the railways, but initiatives such as Project SPEED (Swift, Pragmatic and Efficient Enhancement Delivery) is changing that and I think there is an exciting future in the rail industry.

“The aim when it comes to the rail industry is to continue to build on the momentum. There are a couple of frameworks I’ve got my eyes on. We’ve proven what we are capable of achieving and the work with Siemens Mobility will only further cement that and highlight the important role we have to play for the rail industry.

“Don’t belittle the underdog and don’t be afraid to look more to SMEs. People buy people and it is all about that relationship and making sure you bring in the right people for the job. RCU Solutions aim is to deliver the job and hand it back on time, on budget and to the highest of qualities – that’s what we’ve done and that is why we keep getting the repeat business.”

Since RCU Solutions Limited has been trading, it has been committed to health and safety along with the looking after the environment and maintains its quality from the back office to site. That said it’s then no surprise that the business has been audited and certified by BSI for operating an Integrated Management system. This is built up of Quality Management System – ISO 9001:2015, Environmental Management System – ISO 14001:2015 and Occupational Health & Safety Management System – ISO 45001:2018. It is also RISQS approved and holds Construction Line / Builders Profile accreditations along with NIC Approved Contractors status.

Visit www.rcusolutions.co.uk for more details.

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