Stuart Weeks

Said the following about Western Route Structures Examinations Team:

“The Western Route Structures Examination Team, examine every civil engineering asset on the Western Route from Signal Post SN1 on Platform 1 at Paddington Station to the coastal defence protecting the line at Penzance Station and everything in between. Amounting to in excess of 10,000 individual assets including Bridges, Viaducts, Culverts, Retaining Walls, and Tunnels examined on an annual basis. In addition, there are always 5 individuals on call 24/7 to attend to any emergency incidents such as lorries hitting bridges, Flooding events or storm warnings to the Dawlish Sea Wall, and assess if the structure is safe for trains to continue to run.

In July 2021, the majority team transferred via TUPE (following 1 month’s notification) to Xeiad. Many of the team had spent a significant portion of their working careers at the outgoing company where the contract had been for approaching 20 years. During this transfer period, the team had to close out the existing contract ensuring all examination reports were submitted before leaving the old company and mobilising the new contract at Xeiad. While ensuring the rapid response service was immediately available for use from the 1st minute of the contract at Xeiad should it be needed.

During the mobilisation of the new contract, significant learning of new processes, new technical specifications, new systems and new ways of working were required. This resulted in some delays in the normal cyclical examination delivery and resulted in a backlog at the end of the first 9 months at Xeiad. During the following 12 months to April 2023, the team were able to clear this backlog and complete the normal year cyclical programme allowing the 2023/24 contract year to be commenced on time ensuring the ongoing non-compliance position as one of the lowest in the country.

During their time at Xeiad, the team have welcomed several new starters as part of the continued succession planning review. This has involved many of the existing staff assisting with training and mentoring of new staff both to the Rail environment and structures examining.

The last 12 months have also seen numerous people celebrating long service awards within the team, 1 with 45 years, 8 with 20 years, 2 with 15 years and 5 with 10 years. This only demonstrates the commitment this team have to this highly unique requirement that goes toward keeping the Rail infrastructure running and safe on the Western Route.

Whilst the last 2 years have undoubtedly been one of significant change and upheaval for the members of the Western Route Structures Examination Team, they have never forgotten the most important duty they perform is to keep themselves, their colleagues and the public safe by the work they do every day of the week.“