Specific details of the study can’t be provided due to confidentiality.
The NPR study is the assessment of options that improve journey times and capacity between the major cities in the north.
The strategy is well documented within TfN’s (Transport for the North) strategic rail strategy and Mott MacDonald were engaged to develop the options further from the previous stage, optimising these, taking on board previous comments and then presenting the options to stakeholders to ultimately narrow down the options to take to the next stage.
Each route option had to be assessed against a set criteria in order to sift out those that should not be taken to the next stage.
One of the sift criteria was constructability where accessibility, impact on rail and highway operations and the impact on settlements was assessed. This assessment was led by John Bowes as the Constructability CRE (Contractors Responsible Engineer). In addition to comparing each of the options John also provided constructability advice to the delivery teams as the options were developed. Although not specifically in project scope John was able to add vale and provide additional support whilst fulfilling his CRE role. This took the form of suggesting alternative engineering solutions, commenting upon the level of disruption a solution would have and how to reduce this whilst looking at the safety hazards to the workforce and live railway during construction.
The solutions developed for each route have benefited from an additional review for buildability, risk and impact without delaying the programme. The solutions have been developed beyond project scope which will reduce risk of change at a later stage due to constructability issues being identified.
