Hoo Station

• Location: Kent, UK
• Client: Medway Council
• Partners: Network Rail; Bonner Rail
• Year: 2020
• Sector: Rail |
• Specialisms: Bridge Engineering | Civil Engineering | Digital Engineering & BIM | Project Management | Rail Engineering | Structural Engineering | Surveying |

Pell Frischmann provides rail consultancy alongside a fully integrated multi-disciplinary design and assurance service. With our in-house design teams, sister company resource and expert design partners we provide a fully RISQS audited service of rail capabilities. The new station on the Hoo Peninsula involved the reopening of a freight line for passenger services, the first time since the Hundred of Hoo line stations were closed and demolished in 1961, and the provision of a new rail chord. This directly links to the Medway towns with Strood, providing a direct passenger service for the first time in history.

What we did

Pell Frischmann was a central member of Medway Council’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) delivery team, providing all the rail engineering-related and design scheme throughout GRIP 2 feasibility and GRIP 3 option selection.

The scope of expertise included:

• Geo-environmental;
• Infrastructure masterplanning;
• Lighting and CCTV;
• Low-voltage power supplies;
• PA and communication systems;
• Parking configuration;
• Signalling design;
• Station design;
• Timetable analysis;
• Topographical and track survey;
• Track design;
• Traction power.

Pell Frischmann and Network Rail worked alongside each other and together formed the core of Medway Council’s rail team, which delivered the rail elements of the HIF bid from GRIP 2, a Strategic Outline Business Case and in to GRIP 3.

Outcomes

We had identified several areas of complexity, risk and sensitivity. Of prime focus were:

• Ecology – The Peninsula had many SSSI and RAMSAR sites and some may be impacted by the rail scheme. We prioritised ecology surveys and engagement with Natural England;
• Sustainability – Re-use of existing infrastructure such as bridges and earthworks structures;
• Operations – Keeping the freight line fully operational, whilst the scheme is constructed significantly, influencing the designs we are prepared;
• Safety – Consultancy work with DfT and the train operator to agree a traction power strategy for the Peninsula which suits the existing rolling stock and addressed safety concerns of DC 3rd rail.

We’d love to hear from you!

To find out more about Hoo Station, please contact us through our form here.