Client: Trackwork LTD
Principal Contractor: PLS Civil Engineering Ltd
Project Date: Late 2025
Location: LORAM Train Depot
PLS Civil Engineering Ltd was appointed to deliver a critical remediation and infrastructure upgrade project at the LORAM train depot on behalf of our valued client, Trackwork LTD. The project was designed to address a long-standing issue within the depot’s refuelling area, where historical fuel spillages had caused significant ground contamination. This project required a rapid and robust civil engineering solution to both remediate the existing environment and provide a future-proofed refuelling zone that would prevent further damage to the sub-strata.
The Challenge
The primary challenge at the LORAM depot was a persistent environmental issue where fuel from the refuelling process was penetrating the railway ballast and sub-soil. This required a high-pressure delivery strategy centered around a 14-day blockade with a 24/7 working schedule. The team had to coordinate seamlessly with Trackwork LTD to manage the transition between rail removal and complex civil construction. Returning the depot to operational status as quickly as possible was paramount, meaning there was no margin for error in the excavation of contaminated materials or the rapid pour of new structural slabs.
Project Scope and Execution
The project was delivered across two distinct phases to maximize efficiency and minimize operational downtime. During the initial 14-day blockade, PLS Civil Engineering Ltd worked around the clock to remove the contaminated ballast and sub-soil immediately after the rail was cleared. Following the remediation, our teams constructed eight high-strength track slabs involving the pour of approximately 80 cubic meters of concrete. To ensure long-term environmental protection, we installed integrated drainage gullies and pipework directly within these slabs. This allowed Trackwork LTD to install new rail on top of a fresh, sealed formation that was designed to capture and divert any future fuel spillages at the source.
Following the successful completion of the blockade, the second phase of the project focused on the wider drainage infrastructure during midweek working hours over a three-week period. This phase involved the installation of a new interceptor system designed specifically to separate and manage fuel runoff from the refuelling area. Our team installed a comprehensive drainage network including several new chambers and a final connection into the existing site drainage. The project concluded with the commissioning of the interceptor and the full reinstatement of the tarmac surfacing to return the area to a clean and functional state.
Delivery and Results
The project was managed with a focus on collaborative sequencing and disciplined programme management. By integrating the drainage infrastructure directly into the slab construction during the blockade, PLS Civil Engineering Ltd provided a dual-purpose solution that offered both structural stability for the track and an immediate environmental safeguard. The use of specialized concrete ensured that the depot could return to service within the strict possession window provided by the client.
The final results were highly successful, resulting in the complete removal of historical contamination and the delivery of a modern, resilient refuelling asset. The project demonstrated the ability of PLS Civil Engineering Ltd to handle complex, time-sensitive remediation works within a live rail environment while prioritizing environmental compliance and client satisfaction. The new interceptor system and slab-integrated drainage now provide the LORAM depot with a long-term solution that protects the ground from future spillages, supporting the ongoing operational efficiency of our client, Trackwork LTD.
