Haigh Rail Limited Welcomes Alison Rawson

Principal Contractor, Haigh Rail Limited is delighted to announce the appointment of Alison Rawson. Alison joins as Delivery Director to oversee day-to-day operations, covering contract management, project controls and commercial management functions, as the business continues to grow and prosper. Alison will report into Managing Director Chris Haigh, forming a senior management team alongside Divisional Directors Dan Foster, Keiran Clarke and Mick Downing and Finance Director Claire Haigh.

This appointment will allow MD Chris Haigh to step aside from day to day matters, in order to focus on strategic support and other projects, such as the further development of Haigh Rail Limited across its extensive divisional offerings in Track, Civils, Vegetation Management, Haulage and Level Crossing works.

Alison joins us from Tier 1 Contractor, Siemens Rail Automation, where she was a Senior Project Manager at their Manchester office, delivering multi-disciplinary signalling schemes throughout their project lifecycle.

MD Chris Haigh added:
“We welcome Alison to the senior management team. This is an important appointment for both myself and the wider business. Alison is a consummate rail professional and we all look forward to working with her.”

Coronavirus Update

Haigh Rail remain fully operational and are taking additional precautions to safeguard our people, customers and others we come into contact with.

Our Head Office and other Regional Facilities are all available to support you and we have flexibility to undertake more activities both midweek and weekends if desired.

If you are an existing customer with projects booked in with us, please get in touch to discuss all the options available – we are here to help.

Our divisional teams provide a critical service to the rail and wider infrastructure communities – we can and will provide the very best service during these exceptional times.

So do please contact us for any support you require.

Road 5 Concrete Pad Extension Works Completed

Following a recent tender award, Haigh Rail have been undertaking intensive railway design and build works to extend the Road 5 reinforced concrete track slab. The works, which have been successfully completed, were to allow the train operator sufficient space to install temporary buildings for ongoing rolling stock repair and maintenance works.

The slab extension covers an area of 40m x 12m (480m2) and involved the removal and reinstatement of track and components, to facilitate the excavation and formation of the new concrete pad. The new slab was also required to tie into the existing plinth, which was completed by drilling and fixing steel dowels, which were secured into existing slab structure with a two-pack epoxy resin. Like any extensive concrete extension, the slab was poured in sections to suit expansion requirements.

Haigh Rail acted as the Principal Contractor throughout the works and appointed a civils designer from its supply chain. Integrating Design and Construction was fundamental to this project with track and civils elements working in harmony through Haigh Rail’s multi-disciplinary engineering and delivery team. This single, combined approach enabled the full D&B process to be managed and all build challenges to be closed out through close co-operation from the design team into site constructability.

The project also included rebuilding drainage inspection chambers and installing electric ducting for cable installations and in compliance with Haigh Rail’s sustainable policy, a full waste management hierarchy was instigated, with all items separated and recycled via licensed materials handlers.

Full materials testing was completed with as built documentation supplied as part of the handover pack.

Haigh Rail’s meticulous approach to surveying, railway engineering and on-site delivery provided complete project surety, with the track being installed first and then the concrete placed thereafter. Despite challenging winter conditions, the works were completed on time, to budget – to the delight of the customer, who was 100% satisfied with the end result.

Haigh Rail Achieves Gold Status with Constructionline

Haigh Rail Ltd has achieved Gold Membership status with Constructionline. This provides rail and construction customers who require this standard, with the necessary assurance about the standards we adopt with regards to safety, quality and environmental management.

In being awarded Gold Membership status, Haigh Rail have passed stringent validation checks and have completed a comprehensive qualification process, meeting the credentials for environmental management, quality management, equal opportunities, modern slavery act adherence, anti-bribery and corruption policies as well as the criteria of Constructionline’s Safety Systems in Procurement (SSIP) scheme.

As a Principal Contractor to Network Rail, rigorous assessments of our HSQE systems are very much the norm. So, we are proud to display our gold medal status alongside our other accreditations and send thanks to our SHEQ Manager, Duncan Murray, for leading us through another audit with flying colours.

Achieving this enhanced membership level is reflected in Haigh Rail’s position as leading Track and Welding, Civils, Vegetation Management and Haulage partner within the rail sector, with an outstanding record in respect of the health, safety and wellbeing of its staff, quality of delivery and sustainable approach.

Managing Director, Chris Haigh added:

“Many leading Constructionline buyers are now stipulating Gold as the desired standard for their suppliers, and we are pleased to have achieved an enhanced level that is most appropriate to the expectations of any current or future clients.”

You can learn more about Constructionline here: www.constructionline.co.uk/

Network Rail Vegetation Management Project

Haigh Rail were commissioned to complete a programme of Vegetation Management works. The purpose of the project was to provide a fully managed provision of Arboriculture Services, in order to protect the rail infrastructure, commuters, maintenance staff and 3rd parties from harm.

Haigh Rail were responsible for full planning and execution of all Overhead Line Isolations, as well as all works programme, project and site management requirements.

Our specific site scope of works included:

  • Full site Ecology surveying and reporting
  • Removal of all vegetation within 6.5m of the cess rails
  • Removal of all trees within falling distance of the infrastructure
  • Removal of all dying or diseased trees
  • Stumps lowered to the topography of the ground
  • Woodchip spreading on site to a depth of no greater than 100mm
  • Unmanageable lengths of timber left or banded in situ for habitat purposes
  • Chemical application for hazardous and invasive plants
  • Project Handover

Detailed Ecology Surveys were undertaken by our team of fully trained ecologists in advance of the works and issued to the client prior to works commencing.

Once approved and working in line with the ecology reports, our Contract Management team, carried out their own daily ecology reports. This included bird nest, protected species and invasive weeds inspections.

All findings were logged, reported and suitable exclusion zones were put in place where required, to protect the local wildlife.

Our highly qualified and extensive team of skilled, trained and competent personnel work 24/7, which, enabled us to produce a programme for both daytime and night-time works.

During night-time working, our in-house isolation teams planned and carried out isolations, so that trees in challenging locations in and around the Overhead Line Equipment could be felled or dismantled to current AFAG (Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group) guidance.

The project was successfully completed to meet the customer’s requirements and all handover documentation was supplied to meet the project landing requirements.

Haigh Rail Hosts Event in Support of Derian House Children’s Hospice

Haigh Rail has supported the Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, for a number of years. The charity helps children and young people, whose lives are too short, to make happy memories in an environment of fun, respect and above all, high quality care.

This weekend Haigh Rail held a charity function, which Chris Haigh and Claire Webley kindly hosted. It included champagne and canapes on arrival for the guests, in order to raise funds for this important local cause.

Following a successful day Claire added:

“I couldn’t think of anything better than to host an event whilst simultaneously raising funds for such a wonderful, heart-warming cause.”

https://lnkd.in/dKnGNJj

 

Haigh Rail Secures CP6 LNW North and South Permanent Way Frameworks

We are delighted to announce that Haigh Rail Limited has secured two new five-year CP6 contracts with Network Rail, having been selected to deliver track maintenance and renewals works between 2019 and 2024 on one of the UK’s major rail routes.

The award covers rail frameworks for Permanent Way for the entire London North Western (LNW) route, which runs from London Euston in the South, through the West Midlands, the North West of England and Cumbria before joining with Scotland at Gretna. It is home to the West Coast Mainline – the busiest mixed use railway in Europe – and supports the major British cities outside of London.

The workscope comprises of specialist support to the LNW North and South Network Operations teams. This includes minor maintenance and renewals of the permanent way covering:

  1. Re railing
  2. Full or spot re sleepering
  3. Re ballasting
  4. Plain line component replacement
  5. Full Rail, sleeper, ballast renewal
  6. S&C component replacement
  7. Renewal of way beams
  8. Drainage refurbishment and renewal.
  9. Scrap collection and line of route clearance

This is fantastic news for Haigh Rail, with the five-year contract period allowing the company to further plan and invest for the future through a greater commitment to its workforce.

Haigh Rail’s Managing Director, Chris Haigh added:

“As a business, we set a target to move further South in addition to our established presence in the North and seeing that come to fruition is just brilliant. These contract wins demonstrate that we are seen as a go-to organisation for Minor Track Renewals and Maintenance for the entire LNW Region.

“These frameworks should allow us to extensively engage our existing track and welding end-to-end offering and also bring through the ranks even more talent to the rail industry, through the likes of our established apprenticeship programme.

“I am very pleased with these awards and send my thanks to our talented team, who have helped make this possible. Their continued hard work and dedication is incredible and supports our pledge to deliver first class railway engineering for all Network Rail stakeholders.”

Haigh Rail Apprentices Complete First Rail Engineering Block Release

Haigh Rail, in its support for rail industry progression, is supporting three Apprentices through a bespoke Level 4 Rail Engineering Apprenticeship qualification, at the Doncaster National College for High Speed Rail.

The Level 4 Rail Engineering qualification is broken into two separate elements. These comprise of a Technical Certificate (knowledge element) and a Competence Certificate (practical element). During the competence element, the Apprentice will construct a portfolio of evidence gathered against the qualification standard requirements and an amount of classroom learning will also need to take place.

Existing Trainees, Jordan Jones and Kieran Herron, are being upskilled through this course, alongside newly appointed Apprentice David Phiri. Both Managing Director Chris Haigh and Engineering Director Dan Foster, have worked their way up the ranks via a similar approach and this process of education, is very much part of Haigh Rail’s culture and its future too.

Haigh Rail’s Apprentice Scheme, has received additional support from partner Siemens Mobility via their CITB levy, which Haigh Rail acknowledges its part in the company’s exciting and progressive next chapter.

To this end, today witnesses the end of the first block release for the three Rail Engineering Apprentices. Trevor Whitehead, Haigh Rail’s Business Support Manager, who has been working closely with the three Rail Apprentices, met them following the completion of this milestone – and was the first to congratulate them, saying:

“Feedback from both the College and our Apprentices has been very positive and Haigh Rail are very pleased with the progress that’s been made”

Kieran Herron, one of the Apprentices also added:

“We’ve been made to feel very welcome and the interaction and support between the Haigh Rail Team and the college has been very supportive. The last two weeks has seen us taking a deeper look at the interaction between industry standards, H&S legislation and regulations within the rail industry.

“I’m really looking forward to our next block release in September.”

(Pictured left to right – Jordan Jones Apprentice, Kieran Herron Apprentice, Trevor Whitehead BSM, David Phiri Apprentice)

Haigh Rail Achieves Cyber Essentials Compliance

Following recent verification of Haigh Rail Limited’s assessment against the Cyber Essentials Standard by Secarma, we are delighted to say that our business has met the requirements of the scheme, and have been certificated as compliant.

The Certificate certifies that we have been assessed as meeting the Cyber Essentials implementation profile [BIS/14/696/1.5] and that at the time of testing, the organisation’s ICT defences were assessed as satisfactory against commodity based cyber-attack.

Managing Director Chris Haigh added:

“As part of our business strategy, we are always looking to develop safer systems of work. So, it’s a very big thanks to our business leaders and our supply chain partner IT 24/7 for supporting this latest achievement.

“With businesses these days so reliant on IT, our cyber policy, supporting systems and partners, help protect us against a range of risks associated with digital technology in order to provide critical support in case of a cyber event.”

 

Principal Contractor Haigh Rail Supports Tony Gee & Partners

Haigh Rail has been acting as the PCL, working in partnership with Tony Gee and Partners (TGP),  to enable them to access the Network Rail infrastructure safely and also assist with site investigation and clearance works required, in order to determine options for a track doubling scheme. This forms part of the outline business case to improve connectivity to Birmingham International Station.

Window samples were taken generally to obtain the properties of the soil that the railway was built on. Trial pits on bridges were undertaken generally to confirm if any of the masonry arch structures had backing over the arches, which increases the load carrying capacity of the bridge. Vegetation clearance was also undertaken, to enable lines of sight so TGP could carry out their topographical surveys.

Project Overview:

The strategy for the Route is to divert CrossCountry services travelling from the South Coast to the North East via Coventry rather than via Solihull. This would improve connectivity for Birmingham Airport, along with the High Speed (HS2) station at Birmingham Interchange once it has been constructed in 2026. To accommodate the changes to CrossCountry services and the arrival of HS2 there may be some changes to infrastructure between Rugby and Birmingham via Coventry.

The previous analysis on the Coventry to Leamington section found that a section of single track is a constraint to rerouting the CrossCountry service and delivering the Indicative Train Service Specification (ITSS). The analysis concluded that doubling the track between Kenilworth and Leamington Spa may be required.

The Objective of this Project is to:

  • Provide the information required for the Outline Business Case for the improved connectivity to Birmingham International Station.
  • To divert a CrossCountry Service from the Solihull Corridor to Birmingham International via Coventry.
  • Activities to include:
  • Timetable Modelling to identify the constraints in the existing layout and propose intervention options;
  • Interim and Final Option Selection report detailing the intervention options and the relative merits and shortcomings for each intervention option.
  • Design development for the selected interventions.

TGP were very pleased with the support that was provided by Haigh Rail.  We look forward to working together again soon.

New Vans for Haigh Rail

Railway Infrastructure Contractor, Haigh Rail, is delighted to announce that it has three new vans on the road today.

One of the new vans is for Dan Foster’s Track Division, for one of his Senior Permanent Way Supervisors’ and two new vans are for Keiran Clarke’s Civils and Resourcing Division and Vegetation Management Division, which will be working exclusively for his de-veg teams.

These new vehicles come from our supply chain partner Iveco Walton Summit, as part of our long-term strategy with them for ongoing fleet upgrades and wider compliance management.

With great thanks to Marko, Nigel and the team, for the continued great service, going the extra mile, including all the specific divisional requirements such as chapter 8 livery, ply lining, racking, tow-bars, work lights and tracker systems.

Haigh Rail is Railway Principal Contractor and a trusted and established name in the rail industry for delivering first-class engineering solutions. We have a proven track record of producing outstanding work for some of the biggest contractors and operators. Our priority is to deliver all work safely, on time, on budget and to a first-class specification. Haigh Rail directly employs a group of project managers, engineers and supervisory managers; each selected for their expertise and track record of safety and delivery within the rail industry and also employs Apprentices in order to continue the business legacy.

www.haighrail.com

Haigh’s Vegetation Management Teams Progressing Well at Werrington

Our vegetation control teams are progressing their contract nicely, having delivered 90% of their clearance works in advance of their customer Morgan Sindall’s earthworks, for the Werrington Grade Separation Project on the East Coast Main Line.

The idea of the project is to create a ‘dive under’ from the slow GNGE lines so that they can avoid the fast lines and re-join on the far slow Stamford Lines – effectively tunnelling under the fast lines so that it can re-join the slow lines on the other side. It’s all to increase capacity of 125mph trains as a result of the slow trains coming into Werrington Junction, which in turn slow down the 125mph trains as they currently join onto the fast lines.

The customer have been extremely happy with the quality and timely delivery of our works and as a result, we have also undertaken additional clearance works not included in the original scope – these have also been undertaken safely and on schedule.

Our experienced team have undertaken a large amount of work in the last few months, working in a productive manner, safely and with collaborative mindset and can-do attitude.  These works have included:

  • 1.25miles of track side and off-track clearance for the new route
  • Werrington Junction Triangle cleared to allow the north end dive under
  • 4000m2 of dense sycamore trees cleared to allow for a crane platform to lift out an existing footbridge
  • Numerous roadside clearances to allow for the new GNGE route
  • 5No UTX locations have been cleared
  • Lloyds Field Compound trees cleared
  • Hurn Road Compound trees cleared

Haigh Vegetation Management provides a safe, secure and cost effective service to our clients in respect of vegetation control. Its highly qualified team of skilled and trained personnel and are able to undertake de-veg works 24/7, on behalf of customers operating throughout the UK infrastructure industry.

Read more about us here: www.haighvegetationmanagement.com

Wigan Springs Depot Contact Award

Haigh Rail has been awarded and just commenced a significant brickwork package at Wigan Springs Depot.

The company which has a Civils and Labour division led by Keiran Clarke – Haigh Resourcing – will be completing brickwork repairs to retaining walls.  Works include removing and replacing defective brickwork, opening joints and re-pointing, removing vegetation, repairing spalled brickwork, stitch and grout repairs to fractured wall sections and repairing/replacing coping stones.

The company which has depots in Crewe, Preston and Doncaster, will be using its team of specialists to complete these works and will also call upon its in-house de-veg team to advise and carry-out the appropriate works in respect of the knotweed and tree-stump removals.

The company offers a fully managed lump sum, fixed price delivery service, providing a full turnkey labour, plant and materials solution for our clients projects.

Typical fixed price projects include:

  • Excavation and Earthworks
  • Steel Reinforcement
  • Bridge Replacement and Repairs
  • Heritage Projects
  • Troughing Works
  • General Building Works
  • Grouting Works
  • Confined Spaces Works
  • Drilling and Grouting
  • Core Drilling
  • Reinforced Concrete Construction
  • Formwork
  • Brickwork and Masonry
  • Ducting
  • Under Track and Road Crossings
  • Tunnel Repairs
  • Mortar Repairs
  • Gabion Baskets
  • De-Vegetation Works

https://www.haighrail.com/civils-labour/

Haigh Training Pass NSAR QA Inspection With Commendation

Great news! Haigh Training has passed their NSAR quality assurance inspection.

This follows on from our NSAR accreditation earlier this year and is part of a regular process of audit and inspection to assure the quality and commitment of the UK rail industry’s training providers. These include:

  • Standard rating quality assurance visits addressing Quality of Provision, Leadership and Management including ED&I, Continuous Improvement and Learner Outcome
  • Quality Assurance of trainer and assessor CPD

Our successful report also contained the following comment:
“The training records scrutinised were of the highest quality and the provider should be commended for having such records in place in such a short time following accreditation”

Managing Director Chris Haigh also added:
“This is great news and the positive comments contained within the report are an indication of our continued commitment and drive to deliver an industry leading Track Safety Training provision. Our skilled training and assessment team have technical skills and practical ability to support and develop staff across all sectors of Track Safety and P/Way maintenance. Furthermore, this recent success is more than just an attribution to our dedicated training team, it’s also reflective to our company values and the ethos of our entire team.”

www.haightraining.com

Spondon Level Crossing

Spondon Level Crossing was a unique job that Haigh Rail recently undertook on behalf of partner Siemens Rail Automation. The works consisted of a full level crossing deck renewal, plus realignment of the existing footprint to accommodate a new alignment of the highway.

The existing track condition had to be scoped in advance of the works to assess the condition of the track components below the existing level crossing units. Haigh Rail determined that there were defective sleepers within the existing level crossing footprint, which had to be changed prior to the new level crossing being installed. Existing Hollow bearers also needed repositioning and there were existing drainage catchpits that required removing as they fell within new footprint of the level crossing. All sleepers throughout the crossing also needed respacing to enable new crossing panels to be housed.

During the project, Haigh Rail liaised with other stakeholders to allow for the setting out and installation of new kerb lines, as well as the resurfacing works that were required to each side of the crossing. This required good cooperation and interface management, so that all activities could be fully integrated.

Existing power cables also ran parallel to the dig area which needed to be excavated for the new edge beams, which made digging trenches challenging. However by working carefully and diligently these works were achieved without incident or accident.

Haigh Rail used road rail vehicles to lift the edge beams into place and throughout the works, track levels were monitored by the team to ensure the track geometry was not affected by the works.

In September 2018 the project was completed – with all Level Crossing components installed safely and within the allocated project timeframe. Despite the challenges, Haigh Rail’s solution based approach allowed all obstacles to be overcome. This was helped by the fantastic internal capabilities of business, which used its highly skilled in-house Project Engineers and Planners to ensure that a high quality project was delivered.

Haigh Rail Safely Completes Spondon Level Crossing

Spondon Level Crossing was a unique job that Haigh Rail recently undertook on behalf of partner Siemens Rail Automation. The works consisted of a full level crossing deck renewal, plus realignment of the existing footprint to accommodate a new alignment of the highway.

The existing track condition had to be scoped in advance of the works to assess the condition of the track components below the existing level crossing units. Haigh Rail determined that there were defective sleepers within the existing level crossing footprint, which had to be changed prior to the new level crossing being installed. Existing Hollow bearers also needed repositioning and there were existing drainage catchpits that required removing as they fell within new footprint of the level crossing. All sleepers throughout the crossing also needed respacing to enable new crossing panels to be housed.

During the project, Haigh Rail liaised with other stakeholders to allow for the setting out and installation of new kerb lines, as well as the resurfacing works that were required to each side of the crossing. This required good cooperation and interface management, so that all activities could be fully integrated.

Existing power cables also ran parallel to the dig area which needed to be excavated for the new edge beams, which made digging trenches challenging. However by working carefully and diligently these works were achieved without incident or accident.

Haigh Rail used road rail vehicles to lift the edge beams into place and throughout the works, track levels were monitored by the team to ensure the track geometry was not affected by the works.

Dan Foster, Engineering Director, had this to say:

“I am delighted to say that all Level Crossing components were installed safely and within the allocated time. Despite the challenges, Haigh Rail’s solution based approach allowed us to overcome these obstacles, by using our highly skilled in-house Project Engineers and Planners.

“By holding full-time managers, supervisors and multi-skilled and experienced operatives in-house, this enables multi-disciplinary projects like level-crossings to be a highly collaborative experience for all concerned – the client, project stakeholders and all our staff.”

Haigh Traffic Management gets the green light from Achilles UVDB

Haigh Rail is delighted to announce that it has completed its Achilles Utility Vender Data Base (UVDB) audit with flying colours. The company has qualified for its Traffic Management services – achieving a near perfect score across a number of evaluation standards, via a rigorous assessment of the company’s Safety, Health, Environmental & Quality practices and procedures by Achilles Information Limited – to become a registered supplier on Verify.

For its Management System Evaluation, the company received 100% respectively for Health and Safety and Environmental and 99% and 97% for Quality and Corporate Social Responsibility elements. For the Onsite Assessment, the company received 100% across the board in all categories.

Divisional Manager Chris Hyland, was pleased with the outcome, which allows the utilities industry to procure traffic management services from the company, safe in the knowledge that its systems and onsite activities are both of a very high standard. Chris said:

“Haigh Traffic Management (Haigh TM) is a UK based specialist division that focuses on the provision of temporary traffic management in accordance with the National Highway Sector Scheme (NHSS) 12D. Our works cover TM provision on both rural and urban roads and we have the ability to provide a fully managed 12D service from project inception through to handover.

“Currently operating throughout the North West and Midlands and offering a 24/7 service, Haigh TM has a wealth of knowledge within the industry. This enables us to offer unrivalled support from the consultation and design phase, right through to works completion and project sign-off.”

View certificate here

www.haightrafficmanagement.com

Haigh Rail Appoints Business Support Manager

Haigh Rail is pleased to announce the appointment of Trevor Whitehead as its new Business Support Manager. The role will not only draw upon Trevor’s vast experience in the areas of fleet management and plant training, it will also provide Trevor with the opportunity to support and grow the sales and development of Haigh Rail’s diverse business portfolio that includes divisions in; Track Renewals and Maintenance, Welding, Civil Engineering, Vegetation Management, Haulage, Traffic Management and Training.

Whilst working closely with the divisional leaders to manage Haigh Rail’s large fleet of vehicles, Trevor will also be hoping to increase awareness of each divisional offering to both existing clients and also open dialogue with new prospects.

Trevor will also be building upon Haigh Rail’s NSARE accredited rail training and occupational health offering, by delivering a range of small plant training courses for external clients at a venue and a time that suits the need of each individual business. The aim is to eliminate time constraints and provide a unique and outstanding value for money service.

A delighted Chris Haigh, had this to say:
“Haigh Rail has a history of providing outstanding work to some of the biggest contractors and operators across a diverse business portfolio. With a priority to deliver all work safely, on time, on budget and to a first-class specification, our managers, engineers, supervisors and operational delivery staff are each selected for their expertise and track record in safety and delivery and the appointment of Trevor Whitehead fits this criteria very well. As a holder of a Full Railway Principal Contractor Licence along with RISQS and ISO 9001, 14001 and 18001 accreditation, we look forward to continued sustained growth and further diversification of our business operations.”

Haigh Rail Receives NSAR Approval for its Training Division

Haigh Training – a division of Haigh Rail – is proud to announce that it has been approved by NSAR (National Skills Academy for Rail) as a licenced rail training company. The company has also recruited experienced Rail Trainer, Stephen Johnson to work with Training Manager, Nick Grazier.

Coupled with its occupational health service offering, which already delivers first aid, manual handling, fire and water safety courses and small tools training, this now allows Haigh Training to offer a one-stop facility from its modern training centre near Preston, Lancashire.

Railway training and management development courses are offered and specifically designed to meet each client requirement and Haigh Training also carry out assessments and mentoring for all grades and skills.

Haigh’s mission is to provide a wide range of courses and qualifications for individuals and businesses looking to improve their teams’ skillsets, safety and confidence at work. By employing skilled trainers that all have previous experience in a wide range of industries, it allows us to apply first-hand knowledge of the specific training and skills required by all of our clients’ businesses.

Our courses are taught with traditional teaching methods using the very latest techniques and practices; we believe learning should be enjoyable as well as educational. We always aim to provide the essential practical knowledge and experience, to enable each delegate to complete their course – equipping them with the necessary tools and confidence they need.

Managing Director, Chris Haigh was delighted with the news that the company was now approved by NSAR for rail training and said:

“A big thanks to Training Manager Nick Grazier for this latest achievement. We now have a highly regarded rail trainer – Steve Johnson – on board and are looking forward to building on our established occupational health courses, by delivering first class rail training programmes for both our own staff and external companies.”

For more information, please email nick@haightraining.com or stephen@haightraining.com. Alternatively, call 01772 910310.

A 5 Star Award and ISO Success for Haigh Rail

Following two weeks of audits, Haigh Rail is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a 5-STAR RISQS accreditation – the highest possible rating. RISQS requires railway contractors to undergo a rigorous assessment process to verify that they have the management skills and capability to comply fully with the industry’s Health and Safety, Quality and Environmental practices.

The company is also delighted to announce that it has also passed its accreditation audit with flying colours in respect of its ISO 9001, 14001 and 18001 certification. Certification in these standards, enables Haigh Rail to provide assurance to its customers and highlights the benefits they receive through the company’s management system excellence and its outstanding performance.

Managing Director, Chris Haigh commented on these fantastic achievements saying:

“Thank you to the team for their dedication and hard work. Our clients can continue to be assured that the services we provide are of the very highest standard”.

Haigh Traffic Management Launched

Haigh Rail is pleased to announce that its new Traffic Management Division has been launched.

The company has invested in specialist traffic management equipment and this coupled with the flexible, transparent and consultative approach applied across the rest of the business will enable us to drive maximum efficiency for our customers in this sector.

Headed up by Chris Hyland, an experienced traffic management professional, Haigh Traffic Management will look to both support our Utilities division and independent contracts by delivering a bespoke service at highly competitive prices.

Our knowledgeable team handles all aspects of traffic management, safety and compliance, and provides a truly proactive service.

Haigh Traffic Management also pride ourselves on a fully responsive service and offer 24/7 project support.

Managing Director Chris Haigh commented, saying:

“This is an exciting new area for the business and one where we see significant opportunity for growth. We’re looking forward to working with customers in this sector to help them drive new efficiencies, ensure compliance and reduce costs.”

Please contact Chris Hyland on 07867 929696 or email chris@haightm.com

Haigh Haulage adds to its service with new Scania grab truck

Haigh Rail’s dedicated haulage division, Haigh Haulage, is now the proud owner of a new 67 plate Scania P410, eight-wheel, 32-tonne tipper grab, equipped with a Thompson tipper body and a Palfinger Epsilon M125 classic grab arm.

Haigh Haulage provides reliable and high-quality services to general hauliers and lift and shift companies, container companies, utility companies, and plant and civil engineering companies – all of which benefit from its valuable expertise, experience and equipment.

The division’s new off-road truck is built for the harshest of environments, provides superb reliability and is full of features to enhance the project experience and provide clients with a fully robust haulage offering. It is a great addition to the company’s existing service, which already covers a wide range of services for a variety of industries including construction, civil engineering and rail.

Chris Haigh, Managing Director added:

“In these industries where reliability is key, this tipper grab offers no compromises when it comes to quality and also provides low Euro 6 emissions, playing an important role in Haigh Haulage’s wider sustainable approach to its service.”

Haigh Rail’s Growth Plans Featured in the Press

Haigh Rail Limited has been featured in the local Lancastrian press as a result of its continued success and growing team.

Formed by Managing Director Chris Haigh in 2011 to provide the highest quality, value-for-money, multidisciplinary service to key industrial sectors, the company has developed several complementary divisions and now operates across the rail, construction and engineering industries.

The business employs 50 staff and has offices in Doncaster and Crewe, as well as its Training Division and head office at Bamber Bridge, near Preston.

Due to its impressive growth, the company is now looking to recruit an assistant general manager to support Chris in the day-to-day running of all company operations, to maintain a positive, safe and profitable working environment. This newly created role is a key enabler in developing the future structure of the company, as it will free up time and allow Chris to focus on the strategic tasks required to continue growing the business.

You can read more about Haigh Rail and its future plans in the news story here.

Assistant General Manager

Haigh Rail is a rail and engineering business which, as a result of its continued success, is currently looking to recruit an Assistant General Manager to support the Managing Director in the day-to-day running of all company operations. This role will support the human resource function, whilst ensuring clients’ expectations are managed and exceeded.

The job also entails some administrative duties and assisting on the front and back lines when necessary. You will gain a 360-degree view of all aspects of the business and will be expected to be flexible in both attitude and with time due to the out-of-hours nature of a UK rail and engineering business.

Your role will be to free up the MD’s time from organising and administrative tasks so that they can spend maximum time on strategic tasks. This will include managing diaries and organising meetings and appointments and controlling access to the MD on a daily basis.

For the right candidate, this role will provide further future autonomy and in time it is expected that it will lead to a general manager position covering the entire business portfolio.

Duties include:

  • Managing daily company operations to ensure positive, safe and profitable working environment
  • Ensuring that employees follow the company standards, processes, policies and strategies and leading continuous improvement and development and assist in auditing of practices and systems
  • Implementing quality and productivity objectives to achieve company goals and actively supporting and leading the auditing of processes for both HSE and quality procedures
  • Managing direct reporting to MD related to operational, financial and performance of KPIs and implementing process improvement initiatives
  • Coordinating with MD in recruiting, training, performance evaluation and development of employees
  • Coordinating with MD in planning short- and long-term projects, budgets, expense controls, schedules, and manpower
  • Developing and implementing staffing and business plans to achieve senior management’s business targets
  • Supervising and investigating service level failure and non-conformances and addressing operational, technical and mechanical issues in a timely manner
  • Developing positive working relationships within all areas of the company to ensure proper operational support and a team-focused approach
  • Developing operational strategies and ensuring that the operational activities meet the organisational requirements
  • Coordinating project scheduling; liaising with client’s and review and updating the project team
  • Ensuring compliance within the company’s integrated management system and other associated systems, as well as overseeing and communicating financial compliance and KPIs
  • Liaising with all clients daily, identifying and delivering customer support and representing and marketing the company, aiming to develop new business revenues
  • Reviewing and communicating contractual and commercial problems, evaluating project progress and providing reporting/data analysis as required

The ideal candidate will:

  • Have a strong desire to make a real and measurable difference to the company
  • Be highly motivated
  • Enjoy leading and be an effective people manager, demonstrating an ability to work in a team as a key member
  • Have commercial and operational awareness
  • Be client orientated
  • Have good organisation and communication skills to support the project team in achieving structured targets and meeting deadlines
  • Have a commercial understanding and appreciation of the importance of process and best practice
  • Be a problem solver
  • Be proactive and flexible

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

  • Good understanding of quality systems, including but not limited to ISO9001
  • Good PC skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint Outlook). CAD experience could also be advantageous
  • Supportive qualifications in business management are an advantage
  • At least three years of experience in a similar role
  • Leadership and time-management skills
  • Demonstrated customer and personal service skills
  • Fit and healthy, available to work in an on-site capacity as well as in an office environment
  • A clean driving licence is preferred as you’ll be expected to drive unhindered in company vehicles as required

Company Profile:

Haigh Rail Limited was formed by Chris Haigh in 2011 to supply the highest quality multidisciplinary skills to the rail industry. Having seen a market opportunity for a fully mobilised company of rail specialists to perform a superior standard of workmanship than previously existed, Haigh Rail now offers a genuine value-for-money service for that marketplace.

Since inception, we’ve developed our business considerably. We offer diversity to our clients by way of several successful and complementary divisions operating across the rail, construction and engineering sectors.

Closing date for applications 30th November 2017.

Posted in Job

Watford South Junction

  • Supplied and installed 180 hollow bearers
  • Relocated 2 hollow bearers in final quarter
  • Provided cable management for 12 hollow bearers
  • Scrap clearing
  • Civil engineering works
  • Midweek night and weekend possessions

Haigh Rail was awarded its first contract with Network Rail as a Principal Contractor Licence (PCL) holder at Watford South Junction at the end of 2016. This success came only a few weeks after the announcement of the company’s provisional PCL status.

After previous contracts working for Siemens on the Watford Remodelling Project, railway infrastructure contractor Haigh Rail acted as a Principal Contractor in its own right for the final quarter of the project.

The scope of the works for the overall contract included the supply and installation of 180No hollow bearers. Haigh Rail delivered the full scope of works. The final quarter was particularly challenging, whereby Haigh Rail managed the installation of 37 hollow bearers, relocated a further 2 (incorrectly installed by others) and provided cable management to a further 12 (which were again put in by others, this time without the cables being installed). Haigh Rail also cleared the scrap with the use of an RRV to a designated access point.

Haigh Rail was also responsible for the management of the lineside civil engineering works, which included constructing walkways and they also provided a clear and level site compound, which housed the appropriate welfare facilities for the duration of the works. The works were completed to the satisfaction of Network Rail during a series of midweek night and weekend possessions of the line.

This is an outstanding achievement – one which is testament to the company’s wholehearted commitment to railway assurance.

First Aid at Work Annual Refresher (QAR)

Course Overview

The HSE guidelines state that employers should ensure their first aiders remain up to date with their skill and knowledge. As such, the HSE strongly recommends an annual refresher.

Course Content:

  • Conduct a primary survey
  • Recovery position
  • Treatment of a seizure
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • Types of external bleeds
  • Treatment of an external bleed
  • Management of shock

QA Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support for Adults and Children

Course Overview

This regulated qualification provides delegates with the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in basic Life Support on both adults and children.

Course Content:

  • Assessing the scene for danger
  • Levels of consciousness
  • Recovery position
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) – adult, child and infant
  • Adult, child and infant choking

QA Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support and Management of Anaphylaxis

Course Overview

This regulated qualification provides delegates with the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in basic life support and the management of anaphylaxis. This qualification has been designed for anyone who has a responsibility to provide basic life support and manage anaphylaxis in an emergency situation. This could be at home or the workplace and has been approved by the Anaphylaxis Campaign.

Course Content:

  • Assessing the scene for danger
  • Levels of consciousness
  • Recovery position
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • Triggers of anaphylaxis
  • Recognise the signs and symptoms
  • Administer treatment
  • Features of various adrenaline auto-injectors
  • Safe use of an adrenaline auto-injector
  • Disposal of sharps

QA Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support and Safe Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (RQF)

Course Overview

This regulated qualification provides delegates with the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in basic Life Support and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Course Content:

  • Assessing the scene for danger
  • Levels of consciousness
  • Recovery position
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • Safety considerations when using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
  • Safe use of an AED
  • The use of an AED on a child
  • Procedure if the casualty shows signs of life
  • Handing over the casualty

QA Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid (RQF) – 1 Day

Course Overview

This regulated qualification provides delegates with the opportunity to develop the basic skills and knowledge needed to deal with a range of emergency paediatric first aid situations which could arise when looking after children.

This qualification which has been designed alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is ideal for those who have gained a level 2 or 3 childcare qualification and have entered into an early year setting and wish to be included in staff ratios. This qualification is also ideal for anyone who cares for infants/children, such as parent and/or guardians.

Course Content

  • The role and responsibilities of a paediatric first aider
  • minimising the risk of infection
  • completing an accident report form scene
  • survey/primary survey
  • Recovery position for an infant/child
  • Assist an infant/child who is experiencing a seizure
  • Infant/child CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
  • Choking
  • Types and severity of bleeding in infants/child
  • Control external bleed
  • Recognise an infant/child who is suffering from shock
  • Administer first aid to infant/child suffering from shock

QA Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF) – 2 Days

Course Overview

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework requires all early years providers in England to have at least one person who has a current and full paediatric first aid certificate on the premises and available at all times when children are present. Providers should also take into account the number of children, staff and layout of the premises and increase their paediatric first aid provision accordingly to ensure that a paediatric first aider is available to respond to emergencies quickly.

Course Content

  • The role and responsibilities of a paediatric first aider
  • Minimising the risk of infection
  • Completing an accident report form
  • Scene survey/primary survey
  • Recovery position for an infant/child
  • Assist an infant/child who is experiencing a seizure
  • Infant/child CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
  • Choking
  • Types and severity of bleeding in infants/children
  • Control external bleed
  • Recognise an infant/child who is suffering from shock
  • Administer first aid to infant/child suffering from shock
  • Administer first aid for minor injuries
  • Fractures
  • Head injuries
  • Neck/back injuries

  • How to recognise and manage:
    • Eye injuries
    • Diabetes
    • Asthma
    • Allergic reactions
    • Meningitis
    • Febrile convulsions
    • Extreme cold/heat
    • Burns and scalds
    • Poisons
    • Anaphylaxis

    QA Level 3 Award in Emergency First at Work (QCF) – 1 Day

    Course Overview

    The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require all employers to make arrangements to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. This includes carrying out a risk assessment, appointing a suitable amount of first aiders and providing appropriate first aid training.

    Course Content

    • The role and responsibilities of a first aider
    • Minimising the risk of infection
    • Completing an accident report form
    • Scene survey/primary survey
    • Levels of consciousness
    • Adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
    • Recovery position
    • Managing a seizure
    • Choking
    • Identify the types of external bleeds
    • Control external bleeding
    • Recognise and dealing with shock
    • Administer first aid to a casualty with a minor injury
    • How to deal with a burn/scald

    QA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work Renewal (RQF) – 2 Days

    Course Overview

    The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require all employers to make arrangements to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. This includes carrying out a risk assessment, appointing a suitable number of first aiders and providing appropriate first aid training.

    Course Content

    • The role and responsibilities of a first aider
    • Minimising the risk of infection
    • Completing an accident report form
    • Scene survey/primary survey
    • Levels of consciousness
    • Adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
    • Recovery position
    • Managing a seizure
    • Choking
    • Identify the types of external bleeds
    • Control external bleeding
    • Recognise and deal with shock
    • Fractures
    • Dislocations
    • Sprains and strains
    • Dealing with a suspected head injury
    • Dealing with a suspected spinal injury
    • Recognise the different types of chest injuries
    • Recognise the severity of a burn and scald
    • Eye injuries
    • Poisons
    • Heart attack
    • Stroke
    • Epilepsy
    • Asthma
    • Diabetes

    QA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (RQF) – 3 Days

    Course Overview

    The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require all employers to make arrangements to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. This includes carrying out a risk assessment, appointing a suitable amount of first aiders and providing appropriate first aid training.

    Course Content:

    • The role and responsibilities of a first aider
    • Minimising the risk of infection
    • Completing an accident report form
    • Scene survey/primary survey
    • Levels of consciousness
    • Adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
    • Recovery position
    • Managing a seizure
    • Choking
    • Identify the types of external bleeds
    • Control external bleeding
    • Recognise and deal with shock
    • Fractures
    • Dislocations
    • Sprains and strains
    • Dealing with a suspected head injury
    • Dealing with a suspected spinal injury
    • Recognise the different types of chest injuries
    • Recognise the severity of a burn and scald
    • Eye injuries
    • Poisons
    • Heart attack
    • Stroke
    • Epilepsy
    • Asthma
    • Diabetes

    Haigh Training Launched

    Haigh Rail is delighted to announce the launch of its Training Division – Haigh Training – which will provide an extremely cost effective and high quality alternative training school, covering extensive First Aid, Water Safety and Rescue, Manual Handling and Fire Safety Courses.

    The company has appointed an experienced Training Manager – Nick Grazier – who will oversee this new and exciting area of operation.

    Nick has held various operational and training positions during his career and was recently the Mandatory Training Manager for David Lloyd Clubs, a nationwide role delivering a variety of courses and conducting club visits for compliance purposes. His day-to-day responsibilities included planning, managing and delivering Water Safety, First Aid and AED courses across the business, for 100 clubs.

    Nick will also take care of any internal training requirements for Haigh Rail and its business operations and will be further developing the offering to cover the mandatory rail certification, tools and plant training and also permanent way training.

    Haigh Training provides its training courses from its dedicated premises in Bamber Bridge, which have been fitted out to a high standard and are fully operational.

    Chris Haigh, Managing Director of Haigh Rail is delighted with this latest addition to the Haigh Rail family:

    “Haigh Training is an exciting alternative in the training market. With roots in the North West, our fantastic new facility clearly states the company’s intention to continue its great work in this part of the country.

    “Nick Grazier is an outstanding UK training professional and all at Haigh Rail wish him enormous success in supporting both our internal requirements, but more importantly the wider business community.”

    To discuss any current or future requirements in more detail please email nick@haightraining.com.

    Watford Remodelling Project

    Haigh Rail was awarded its first contract with Network Rail as a Principal Contractor Licence (PCL) holder at Watford South Junction at the end of 2016. This success came only a few weeks after the announcement of the company’s provisional PCL status.

    After previous contracts working for Siemens on the Watford Remodelling Project, railway infrastructure contractor Haigh Rail acted as a Principal Contractor in its own right for the final quarter of the project.

    The scope of the works for the overall contract included the supply and installation of 180No hollow bearers. Haigh Rail delivered the full scope of works. The final quarter was particularly challenging, whereby Haigh Rail managed the installation of 37 hollow bearers, relocated a further 2 (incorrectly installed by others) and provided cable management to a further 12 (which were again put in by others, this time without the cables being installed). Haigh Rail also cleared the scrap with the use of an RRV to a designated access point.

    Haigh Rail was also responsible for the management of the lineside civil engineering works, which included constructing walkways and they also provided a clear and level site compound, which housed the appropriate welfare facilities for the duration of the works.

    Haigh Rail also had to manage the requirements of ALO and the proximity of the 3rd Rail, where circumstances dictated, using their internal resource and ALO planners to do so.

    The works were completed to the satisfaction of Network Rail during a series of midweek night and weekend possessions of the line.

    Dan Foster’s promotion featured in June’s RailStaff

    We are pleased to announce that Dan Foster’s promotion to Engineering Director has been featured in the June 2017 edition of RailStaff Magazine.

    Dan has been promoted to the board of Haigh Rail, having previously been professional Head of Track. He joined us in March 2015, and has worked for several high-profile rail contractors, including Carillion Rail, Babcock Rail and Amey Sersa.

    RailStaff Magazine is widely recognised as the number one rail publication in the UK, and gets to the heart of the UK Rail Industry with a blend of news, in-depth reports and interviews with key personnel.

    page-12-from-railstaff-june-17

    Haigh Resourcing features in the Rail Engineer

    Haigh Resourcing, Haigh Rail’s newest addition to its core offering, is featured in the June issue of the Rail Engineer, giving rail industry professionals a chance to get to know the division and the service it offers.

    Under the stewardship of experienced duo Keiran Clarke and Ed Anderson, Haigh Resourcing, which supplies personnel to the building, civil engineering and rail sectors within the construction industry, has already secured a number of orders.

    Haigh Resourcing understands that it is not just about finding people with the right skills and experience it is also about finding people with the right attitude.

    It aims for seamless long-term supply contracts with its clients, whether supplying civil engineering gangs, plant operators or railway critical staff. Its resourcing motto is ‘Our People Are Your People.’

    Haigh Resourcing offers clients a flexible approach to UK construction resourcing and can be engaged in many different ways, from a single resource to a complete gang. Our services for the rail industry cover multi-disciplinary labour supply, civil engineering and de-vegetation works, with offices across the country allowing us to offer a comprehensive UK-wide service.

    This, coupled with our ability to supply both general construction and rail markets, gives Haigh Resourcing a point of difference in industries where high quality and reliability are of paramount importance.

    To read about Haigh Resourcing in Rail Engineer click here, and to find out more about the division, visit www.haighresourcing.com, call 01270 446595 or email ed@haighresourcing.com.

    Haigh Rail’s Latest Newsletter Published

    We’re now well into 2017 and the growth and success at Haigh Rail continues. From completion of our first contract as a Full Principal Contractors Licence holder in Watford, to the development of a new labour and civils division for rail and construction, staff promotions, plus numerous health, safety and wellbeing initiatives, the company continues to develop its offering to meet and exceed the needs of its clients.

    Read our latest newsletter here.

    Haigh Resourcing

    Haigh Resourcing – Haigh Rail’s newest addition to its core offering – has made a strong start following its recent formation.

    Under the stewardship of experienced duo Keiran Clarke and Ed Anderson, Haigh Resourcing, which supplies personnel to the building, civil engineering and rail sectors within the construction industry, has already secured a number of orders.

    The team are aiming high and are looking to extend their offering across the construction industry, by supplying high-quality resources to support the UK’s most important infrastructure projects.

    Haigh Resourcing understands that it is not just about finding people with the right skills and experience it is also about finding people with the right attitude.

    It aims for seamless long-term supply contracts with its clients, whether supplying civil engineering gangs, plant operators or railway critical staff – its resourcing motto is ‘Our People, Are Your People.’

    Owner and Managing Director Chris Haigh is pleased with progress and said:

    “Haigh Resourcing offers our clients a flexible approach to UK construction resourcing and can be engaged in many different ways from a single resource, to a complete gang.

    “This, coupled with our ability to supply both general construction and rail markets, gives Haigh Resourcing a point of difference in industries where high-quality and reliability is of paramount importance.”

    www.haighresourcing.com

    Full Principal Contractors Licence awarded to Haigh Rail

    We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded a full Principal Contractors Licence (PCL) less than six months after our provisional award.

    This full Principal Contractors Licence allows the company to act in its own right as a main contractor on Network Rail UK controlled infrastructure to not only manage their own works, but also other suppliers and sub-contractors works too.

    After successfully passing the first stage of the two-stage PCL audit process, Network Rail were invited to Haigh Rail’s project in Watford on 18th December, where the company are working on directly for Network Rail on this major re-modelling project.

    Haigh Rail’s scope of works include track bearer installation works and the management and delivery of lineside civil engineering works.

    Following the completion of a comprehensive audit and assessment, Network Rail were completely satisfied with Haigh Rail’s approach to railway assurance and deemed the company ready to undertake the management and delivery of rail works, awarding them full status.

    Haigh Rail’s owner and Managing Director, Chris Haigh, commented, saying: “Our business strategy is to manage and deliver more track renewals and maintenance works directly for Network Rail throughout the country. With strategically placed depots in the Midlands, the North East and the North West and works being successfully delivered from Watford in the South to Carlisle in the North, we are geared up and ready for the next phase in our growth plan.

    “This is an outstanding achievement for our company and is testament to our wholehearted commitment to railway assurance. Railways are at the very core of our business and our people.

    “We look forward to future collaboration with Network Rail and our industry partners to extend our core track renewals and maintenance offering into current and new rail markets, to demonstrate further how our directly employed and managed workforce are delivering track works extremely effectively.”

    Haigh Rail builds its workforce for the future

    Haigh Rail is delighted to announce the appointment of Jack Taylor to its team of rail engineers.

    As a nurturer of local talent, Haigh Rail – whose Midlands delivery operation is based in Crewe – recruited the 19-year-old from nearby in Stoke. Jack joined the company in October and will be fully supported by Haigh Rail as he works towards an NVQ level 3 in railway engineering over the next 12 months. He has taken his place within our team to work on multi-disciplinary tasks and projects throughout the business, and is aspiring to climb the permanent way engineering ladder.

    With its team of highly experienced and versatile rail specialists from across various track disciplines, Haigh Rail is proving that people really are the lifeblood of railway engineering.

    The company is now a PCL holder, delivering its first project directly for Network Rail, and is currently focused on a delivering a number of major projects across the UK.

    By focusing on the recruitment and training of new specialists, Haigh Rail will safeguard the future of its workforce as it works towards its aim of becoming one of rail industry’s preferred contractors for track infrastructure projects throughout the UK.

    Haigh rail awarded first project as principal contractor

    Haigh Rail is delighted to announce the award of its first contract with Network Rail as a Principal Contractor Licence (PCL) holder. This success comes only a few weeks after the company’s announcement of its provisional PCL status.

    Previously working for Siemens on the Watford Remodelling Project, railway infrastructure contractor Haigh Rail will now act as a Principal Contractor in its own right for the final quarter of the project.

    The core scope of the works for this contract includes the supply and installation of 180No hollow bearers. Network Rail has also confirmed that a full site audit will be undertaken of Haigh Rail on 3rd December 2016, which should allow the business to move from provisional to full status in respect of its PCL.

    Haigh Rail will also be responsible for the management of the lineside civil engineering works. Managing Director Chris Haigh is delighted with progress and said:

    “This is the next step for Haigh Rail Ltd and is testament to the hard work of the entire team.

    “We look forward to delivering the last section of this important remodeling project as PC and taking our status from provisional to full licence holder.”

    Haigh Rail Awarded Principal Contractor Licence

    Haigh Rail is proud to announce its award of the ‘Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence’ (PCL), which certifies that the business is capable of carrying out duties as a Principal Contractor in accordance with Network Rail’s regulations.

    The new provisional licence will provide more opportunities for Haigh Rail and will allow the company to be considered for projects previously not available to us – we are excited about the increased opportunities that having a PCL will bring.

    Haigh Rail is already in discussions with Network Rail to commence its first project as a PC and looks forward to the future with optimism. It is also a condition of the PCL that we will need to be reassessed on completion of a PCL project to move the provisional status of the PCL to full licence status.

    Haigh Rail’s Managing Director, Chris Haigh, was happy to comment on this fantastic achievement:

    “I am delighted with this success for Haigh Rail, which should prove highly significant. It is testament to the dedicated work of our Health, Safety and Compliance team, headed by Production, Safety and Compliance Engineer, Ian Hughes – I can’t thank you enough for your efforts.

    “This will allow Haigh Rail to act as a PC in our own right and as a business I look forward to us continuing to set the standard in railway infrastructure contracting”.

    Haigh Rail’s Managing Director featured in RailStaff

    Chris Haigh, Haigh Rail Limited’s founder and Managing Director, is featured in the September issue of RailStaff magazine.

    The article details Chris’s career path, starting as a Trainee Engineer at Carillion, before continuing with major rail companies such as Babcock Rail and Network Rail. All of this experience is what led Chris to set up Haigh Rail Limited, looking to fill a gap in the industry for a small company with a flexible and tailored service offering.

    Also mentioned is Haigh Rail’s impressive growth since its founding in 2011, and Chris’s plans to increase its service provision in the near future. The company’s recently established welding division created new business opportunities with both existing and potential clients.

    Further to this, over the summer, Chris has been in the process of securing the final details of the company’s forthcoming haulage division, which will increase the scope of provision even further.

    A new Scania Truck has been specially adapted for Haigh Rail. Its specialist body includes a 40-tonne/metre Effer crane that will be able to carry RRV trailers in its rail gauge running rails. This has been a significant investment for the company, allowing it to serve non-rail clients, as well as its traditional client base.

    You can read more about Chris and his future plans for Haigh Rail Limited in September’s issue of RailStaff, available here: https://issuu.com/railmedia/docs/railstaff-september-16

    Special event for local children’s hospice

    On Sunday 28th August, Haigh Rail Ltd’s Chris Haigh and Claire Webley hosted a charity event from home to raise money for Derian House Children’s Hospice. This hugely valuable local charity provides palliative, specialist respite and end of life care for children and young adults throughout the North West region.

    Chris and Claire asked guests for £5 for entry and £1 per drink from the specialist drinks trailer (Chris made up the remainder of the cost). Fish and chips were served free of charge, with children enjoying a bouncy castle and complimentary sweets.

    In total, a fantastic £893 was raised on the day, which was kindly made up to a £1,000 by a friend who wasn’t able to be there. This will go towards the cost of care equipment and trips out for the children and young adults receiving care.

    Derian House Children’s Hospice is wholly reliant upon donations. It was the first provider of respite and palliative support in Lancashire for families of children with life shortening conditions.

    NEW STREET SUCCESS FOR HAIGH RAIL

    Permanent Way contractor, Haigh Rail, has secured a prestigious contract with partner Siemens Rail Automation at Birmingham New Street.

    The contract, which commenced this month, cements Haigh Rail’s position as one of Siemens’ preferred contractors for track installation works.

    Haigh Rail, which is a solutions-based rail business offering the design, co-ordination, staging, planning, implementation and handback of multi-faceted track projects, secured the works based on its ability to engineer not only the safest, but also the most cost efficient outcome.

    The work scope includes:

    • 140 Hollow bearer installations
    • 8 IBJ installations
    • UTX Track support
    • Critical Rail Temperature monitoring
    • Temporary speed restriction implementation
    • Track surveys
    • Point condition surveys

    Haigh Rail’s Managing Director, Chris Haigh, stated: “We are delighted to have secured this prestigious contract. Siemens has been part of an amazing transformation of Birmingham’s railway hub and we are proud to play our part in constructing railways of the future. We look forward to continuation of our long-term relationship with the Siemens team.”

    HAIGH RAIL INVESTS FOR THE FUTURE

    Haigh Rail’s Assistant Engineer, George Kelly, is continuing his progress through the ranks, by commencing his HNC in Engineering.

    The two-year course, which starts in September, is testament to George’s enthusiasm and is part of Haigh Rail’s wider investment plan to train and develop their staff from within for the future.

    George, who already holds a first class honours degree in Applied Science, will use this specialist training in engineering design principles and application for construction and the built environment to aid and develop his role. This training will be used as the basis for his continued professional development, a route which the company hopes will ultimately lead to future professional status.

    Haigh Rail’s Managing Director, Chris Haigh, congratulated George on his progress to date saying: “Since joining Haigh in 2015, George’s work ethic and professionalism have been fantastic. We are delighted to be supporting George to further his skills and look forward to seeing his future development.”

    A WARM WELCOME TO TERI HODSON

    Haigh Rail’s recruitment drive continues with the appointment of Teri Hodson.

    Teri, who has spend much of her career working in the public sector, brings over two decades of professional support to the business and is a great addition to the Haigh Rail team.

    Teri said: ‘Having worked in the public sector for many years and being open to change, I look forward to bringing my knowledge and skills into the commercial sector. This is very much a hands-on role, one where I can really make a difference’.

    Teri will be focusing on delivering effective procurement management to support the fast growing and diverse activities of the railway infrastructure contractor.

    Working alongside Haigh Rail’s Finance Director, Claire Webley, Teri will provide much needed support in purchasing and sales and is a welcome addition to the team at the businesses headquarters in Bamber Bridge.

    Commenting on her appointment, Claire Webley said: “We are delighted to have recruited Teri. She comes highly regarded, has great interpersonal abilities and is highly professional – skills that Haigh Rail value incredibly highly.”

    MP and Deputy Mayor formally open Haigh Rail’s Bamber Bridge office

    Nigel Evans, Conservative MP for the Ribble Valley, and Linda Woollard, Deputy Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council, celebrated the success of Haigh Rail by formally opening its head office in Bamber Bridge on 6th May 2016.

    The office in Momentum Place, off Nook Lane, signals the growth and success of the company over the last five years, which are largely attributable to the drive of its managing director, Chris Haigh. This was noted by MP Nigel Evans, who commented: “Haigh Rail is a local success story and I was only too pleased to be invited to the official opening of the new headquarters in Bamber Bridge.

    “It is hugely impressive to see Chris Haigh start from zero and create a company with 41 employees in just five short years. This is a fantastic new facility which states the company’s intention to continue its great work in this part of the country, where there are strong transport links.

    “New enterprises such as Haigh Rail, which supply a vital engineering provision for Network Rail, as well as a range of private companies, are great for the region. This new office in Ribble Valley offers exciting local employment opportunities, which will be a boost to the local economy. The company should be called Haigh Rail Unlimited!”

    With 1,200 square feet of office space and a further 1,700 square feet of storage space, the new headquarters offers ample room for Haigh Rail Ltd. to continue its plans for expansion. Eight members of staff will be based in the office, with a number of hot desks available for employees based elsewhere. The office is also well-equipped and suited for professional client meetings.

    Gresty Lane, Crewe

    • 93 insulated block joints installed and 23 recovered
    • 20 point ends converted (11 in the blockade)
    • 62 hollow bearers installed
    • Replacement of a new set of bullhead switches
    • Installation of a buffer stop
    • Over 4,500 man hours were worked by Haigh Rail-supplied staff during the blockade
    • 500 tonnes of ballast were renewed

    Haigh Rail was contracted through Network Rail and Siemens Rail Automation Holdings to provide a range of track renewal and track maintenance works for the re-signalling project at Gresty Lane in Crewe (GRIP 5-8). The works were successfully commissioned during the nine-day blockade from 28th November to 6th December 2015.

    As is increasingly the case, we were involved early in the development, staging and planning of the track works. This ensured greater ownership, leading to a more successful delivery in all areas. It also created a culture of collaboration in which all parties were consulted throughout the progress of the works. Haigh Rail is an advocate of BS 11000 and embraces the principles encompassed by the standard.

    Heritage Railways

    • Upgrading the Heritage Railways for both Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway and North Yorkshire Moors Railway
    • Employing Haigh Rail’s specialist welding division
    • A solid working relationship between Haigh Rail and Heritage Railways

    The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) is a preserved steam and diesel heritage railway in the Cotswolds. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a heritage railway running through the North York Moors National Park, from Pickering to Whitby.

    Haigh Rail has a proud association with both, and Haigh Rail’s head of welding, Mick Downing, has forged strong relationships with P-Way engineers Clive Hawkins of GWR and Nigel Trotter of NYMR.

    It is a pleasure to work on these fabulous railways, ensuring they are upgraded to the highest specification, whilst our welding team enjoys some of the country’s most spectacular scenery.

    In 2015, GWR received the Queen’s award for voluntary service; and the NYMR was not to be outdone, reaching a milestone of some 280,000 visitors. Mick Downing looks forward to continuing the association with these special railways for many years to come.

    Birmingham Metro

    • To create a light rail transit extension of 1.4km in Birmingham City Centre
    • Zero weld rejection rate to date.

    The project for Birmingham Metro was to create a light rail transit extension of 1.4km in the city centre for Train Operating Company, Centro. Following the tender process at the beginning of 2014, Haigh Rail was selected as the supplier of choice to deliver welding services on the line.

    Whilst working under tight timescales and within very close proximity of the general public, we successfully welded the entire 1.4 kilometre extension in Birmingham city centre by means of a mixture of 55G2 groove rail embedded and 39E1/80A flat bottom rail profiles. During a 12-month period we performed 407 individual welds, with a zero rejection rate.

    Todmorden Curve

    • Providing vital engineering services in the construction of a new 400-metre curve
    • Plain-lining an existing crossover
    • Maintaining our immaculate safety record, with zero lost time injuries
    • Enabling the first direct service train for 40 years

    The Todmorden Curve project – to reinstate a 400-metre stretch of rail track, which had been closed since 1972 – was completed in May 2015. Haigh Rail Ltd’s services were vital in enabling the first direct service to run between East Lancashire and Manchester in more than 40 years.

    We were pleased to support the main contractor, Buckingham Group, working on the planning, methodology and P-way installation on a new 400-metre curve, a crossover and a turnout. We also supplied track welding, grinding, stressing, tamping and handback services.

    We were proud to deliver our services as part of this project on time, on budget and above all else – safely. Our work on Todmorden Curve allowed us to expand our current client list, building relationships and expanding our portfolio of works.