The RailStaff Awards 2024

Ivan Kimble

Said the following about Helen Warnock - Strategic Crisis Management Team:

“Soil Moisture Deficit levels on 6 lines of route in Kent have reached an all-time high as a result of clay banks drying out and shrinking following a long dry summer. This being closely monitored and in July 2018 as a result of forecasts indicating the potential of significant passenger disruption from speed restrictions needing to be imposed.

A Strategic Crisis Management team led by Infrastructure Maintenance Delivery Manager Helen Warnock was established. The team includes representatives from maintenance, asset management, supply chain operations, communications our customers Southeastern and GTR. Helen led the industry recovery plan which so far has delivered 2,795 extra tonnes of ballast and 23 additional tamping shifts, with a further 1,800 tonnes of ballast and 33 tamping shifts planned over the next 6 weeks. This has been delivered over and above the planned maintenance work across the route. The team under Helen’s leadership have exhibited great collaboration which has allowed the many complex cross industry factors to be successfully aligned to maximise delivery. A proactive communications campaign has also been developed to explain the issue to our passenger and also what we are doing to minimise any delays they may encounter. The proactive plan has significantly reduced the number of speed restrictions, train delay and the impact on passengers experience.“