Catherine Cooper

Said the following about Fenny Compton Embankment Slip:

“Comprising members from Maintenance & Works Delivery (WD), this team provided rapid response to pull together over a weekend. The embankment at Fenny Compton was failing; they ensured the track remained open to trains. They formulated strategic plans, produced speed designs, and made sure we had cover at all levels throughout the following week. They re-designed the track position to slow down the rate of deterioration, enabling track repair to reduce from every 6-8 hours to every 36-48 hours.

This team answered their phones when not at work and not on call, on Saturday 1st April. Readings advised that we were 2mm away from having to block the line, so Maintenance supervisory staff got stuck into manual work, lifting and packing the track and using Robel hand tampers. The team set up a WhatsApp group, which enabled constant comms to be fed from L4 Maintenance to the WD leads, who knew exactly what resource was required, where and when. Cross-boundary teamwork was exemplary.

A WD team member cancelled their own planned works without a second thought, to provide armies of orange resources, from Saturday lunchtime through to Monday morning, without any gaps in cover. Another WD member arranged for a driver with a vehicle to pick up badly needed tools and equipment from Stafford WD depot and drive them to Fenny Compton, to enable the work to take place. Ultimately, this team’s actions prevented us from having to close the Cherwell Valley line to traffic and cancel services.“