Radlett Strategic Rail Freight Interchange scheme

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Vextrix was appointed by SEGRO PLC to deliver four full-time equivalent (FTE) roles, including Project Management, Project Management Assistant, and Client Sponsor services, on the Radlett Strategic Rail Freight Interchange scheme. Our work supported key phases of a major programme of works, including the redevelopment of the mainland railway and commercial development of adjacent land. These works, alongside associated Gauge Enhancements remitted to Network Rail Capital Delivery via a BSA, remain ongoing under the wider project.

Initially appointed in 2016, the team supported the delivery of major changes to the mainline railway, including a new junction on the Midland Main Line and a four-track rail-over-rail intersection structure. During this period, the team also contributed to the development of adjacent land for commercial use, including a rail-served warehouse complex and an intermodal terminal—key components of the wider, ongoing scheme.

Vextrix acted as the client representative for the Network Rail interface, supporting SEGRO’s client structure and managing all aspects of rail interface delivery. Drawing on extensive third-party delivery experience, the team was well-versed in the complexities of major project delivery via Asset Protection.

The role included:

Managing and owning the relationship with Network Rail on behalf of the client
Acting as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
Facilitating the correct conversations between the project and Network Rail stakeholders
Supporting the Network Rail Sponsor

The team addressed project-related issues involving Network Rail and worked collaboratively to arrange the execution of agreements in line with programme requirements. Throughout delivery, the focus remained on collaboration with the Network Rail Sponsor and Eastern Region ASPRO teams to resolve challenges and meet required processes.

The scope of the role covered:

Developing and managing various agreements with Network Rail, including BSA, BAPA, DSA, APA, Implementation Agreement (IA), Bridge, and Connection Agreements
Ensuring agreements effectively communicated requirements to the client and relevant planning authorities
Collaborating with Network Rail to review and prepare agreements for client approval, addressing areas of negotiation
Working closely with ASPRO Engineering and Construction teams to understand on-site works methodologies and assess risks to the railway
Reviewing method statements and safety proposals for the delivery of on-network works
Monitoring delivery of the client’s designer’s programme and aligning requirements with the Principal Contractor to meet critical delivery timescales
Facilitating weekly progress meetings with Network Rail and project stakeholders
Engaging with Network Rail stakeholders and industry safety bodies on behalf of the client
Managing assurance processes such as CDM, CSM, and Interoperability on behalf of the client as the proposer of change

NEC Supervisor Appointment

Building on our initial involvement in managing the Network Rail interface, Vextrix has been appointed to provide the role of NEC Supervisor on the scheme, ensuring the highest quality construction outputs and proactively managing compliance with complex requirements.

Added Value

The scheme aims to remove up to 600,000 lorries annually from the road and onto the railway, thereby mitigating CO2 emissions and enhancing local air quality. To minimise the impact on the local environment, the team continues collaborating with Network Rail to facilitate environmental enhancements. This includes working with Network Rail Stakeholders to plant over 4,000 trees and 132,000 saplings, as well as creating new ponds and nesting sites to enhance the local habitat.

The project seeks to have a positive impact on the local community by generating approximately 4,000 local jobs, with an additional 500 jobs created on-site during construction. The team is actively supporting a local recruitment campaign with our client to promote local economic benefits. Additionally, the project enables improvements to recreational amenities, such as creating a bridleway under the railway, which the team has supported through the town planning approval process within Network Rail.