Project Case Study: Hull Station Platform 1 Re-instatement

Client/Organization: Network Rail

Project Duration: October 2022 – March 2024

Project Design Value: £100K (PBH Value)

Project Implementation Value: £1.7M

Hull Platform 1 has been out of use for passenger service for several years. In 2020 a track scheme was developed to bring the platform back into use for stabling and empty coaching stock (ECS) to help address capacity issues at Hull station. It has since been identified by the route that bringing the platform back into passenger usage would have several benefits for Hull station in easing capacity constraints and providing perturbation in times of disruption.

To reintroduce Platform 1 at Hull Station as a fully operational passenger platform for 3 car Class 170 and 185 Northern and TransPennine Express services. The project included the requirement for:-
• Complete renewal of the track in platform 1.
• Assessment and refurbishment of S&C of 2136 points on the approach to platform 1 and completion of any remedial work identified.
• Gauge clearance of platform 1 and the loading dock to the rolling stock agreed with the Train Operators.
• Extension of the platform to facilitate the required rolling stock.
• Provision of an energy-absorbing buffer stop.
• Removal of 250mm in depth of top stone from the loading bay, resurfacing where the stone has been removed and fencing work to secure the loading bay area. Listed Building Consent required for this work.
• Fencing work.
• Resurfacing works to the coper edge of Platform 1 to ensure compliance as required.
• Platform edge tactiles for the full length of platform 1.
• Repairs to the existing copers.
• Provision of CIS, CCTV and passenger facilities.
• Relocation of existing Signal.
• Signal and Sign signting.
• New Platform lighting.
• Provision of new OFF indicators.
• Relocation of telephones.

Our scope was to provide the following:-
• Topographical and laser scanning surveys for the project.
• Permanent Way Design.
• Gauging Analysis
• Provision of CEM and DPE roles to ensure interdisciplinary design development and assurance achieved with numerous designers involved.
• Integration of design deliverables for all disciplines.

Matt Chilton – Survey Manager
Chris Carrick – Lead for PBH Rail and Design CEM for the project
Cecil Becker – Track Design CRE
Mike Dawson – Senior Designer Track and Gauging Specialist
Wayne Feery – DPE & Track PE

Key Challenges on the project were:-
• Interfacing with a large number of different disciplines to ensure project requirements were met.
• Significant changes to scope throughout the project lifecycle.
• Silo working without full integration.
• Budget restraints.
• Significant site constraints.
• Challenging timescales.

• Ensured that all disciplines were engaged and that IDC/IDR meeting where scheduled at the right times to ensure maximum integration.
• Initially given to PBH Rail as a track scheme it soon became apparent that there were elements required that had not been considered fully in the development phase. We worked closely with the project team and commercial sponsors to ensure all elements were included as required to enable the successful delivery of the project.
• Initially each discipline was working separately. Once we were on board we quickly ensured that the project was integrated in terms of its development with a systems approach ensuring no single discipline was working independently from the rest of the project.
• Some budget restraints meant that we needed to look at what was achievable within budget to still meet the requirements of the project. We worked with the project team and wider stakeholders to ensure this was achieved.
• Due to the short length of the platform, elements of the station that could not be altered and the existing track layout it was a challenge to fit in the required platform extension

All milestones for our survey and design deliverables were met enabling the timely interface with all other disciplines allowing issue of AFC design and construction works to start on programme.

Leading the project out of disparate discipline development into a fully integrated, interdisciplinary approach enabled the project to procced as required with a systems engineering approach.

Providing all our deliverables to programme, and ensuring all design deliverables were fully integrated enabled the project to progress as required and meet the desired output.

Our knowledge in leading interdisciplinary design was enabled this project to be interfaced correctly and was crucial to meeting the design timescales to enable the delivery teams and the project as a whole meet the project and programme requirements.