We recently carried out a project for Network Rail and Costain at Tovil, Maidstone. During the final Review Notification walkover Network Rail awarded the Costain Team the ‘Purple’ good practice award.

The job involved installing 280 metres of 1.8 metre high triple point powder coated green palisade. Costain were working on behalf of Network Rail carrying out sheet piling works to stabilise the railway embankment.

Between NWR and Costain they decided to go for palisade instead of replacing with chain link to reduce trespassing issues. NWR decided to have it powder coat green so it blended in the surrounding area instead of the normal galvanised palisade.

All materials had to be loaded at one end of the river by crane and floated down the river to the site location by barge. This was supplied by Costain due to the poor access to site for lorries.

The Kent and Essex teams of Fen Contracts joined forces and worked hard to complete the project in difficult conditions and bad weather.

Restoration efforts involved the installation of 75 native saplings, 3 bat boxes, 8 instect houses and 4 hibernacula’s which were constructed from previously felled tree limbs.

An amazing effort from all involved.

All works were completed on time and job signed off by Costain. Network Rail’s Tom Harris acknowledged the fantastic biodiversity and sustainability ideas which were initiated as part of the final site restoration.

We’re looking forward to the next challenge.