Supporting Kier with Network Rail’s Super Depot Project

Context

The Network Rail Super Depot project is a substantial civil engineering undertaking, supporting long-term rail operations and maintenance capability. With works commencing in March 2023 and running through to September 2024, the programme required a consistent, experienced workforce capable of delivering complex groundworks and drainage activities to exacting standards.

Vital aligned its labour supply model to Kier’s programme demands. This meant deploying skilled civils operatives and site leadership who could integrate quickly, work safely within a rail environment and sustain productivity over the full lifecycle of the build.

Our focus was not short-term cover, but long-term delivery certainty.

How we made it work: Skilled civils teams, site-ready, built for rail

• Deployed a blended workforce covering blue- and white-collar roles, ensuring both operational delivery and on-site leadership were in place from day one.
• Supplied specialist groundworks and drainage personnel experienced in rail civils environments, including excavation, concrete works and infrastructure installation.
• Ensured all operatives met site compliance, safety and induction requirements for working on a Network Rail-associated project.
• Structured workforce numbers to match programme phases, maintaining continuity while flexing resource levels as site activity evolved.
• Embedded a delivery-first approach, working closely with Kier to keep labour aligned to schedules, sequencing and operational priorities.
  

Results that deliver confidence

• Vital supplied 32 full-time contractors, maintaining a stable, reliable workforce throughout the programme. 
• Our support enabled Kier to progress critical groundworks and drainage packages without labour-related delay. 
• On-site leadership and skilled operatives worked cohesively, supporting productivity, safety and quality across the build. 
• With workforce delivery under control, the project maintained momentum towards its planned September 2024 completion.

Lessons that shape the future

Working on large-scale rail civils programmes reinforces a number of hard-earned truths. Infrastructure delivery depends on continuity. A stable, embedded workforce reduces risk, limits rework and keeps disruption to a minimum on complex sites.

Rail environments also demand experience. Competence, safety awareness and discipline are not optional extras. They are fundamental to maintaining productivity and protecting people, assets and programmes.

Labour supply must move in step with the project. Phases shift, requirements change and access windows tighten. A workforce model that cannot adapt quickly becomes a constraint rather than a support.

Above all, specialist delivery partners are essential. They are not a supplementary service but a core part of keeping complex infrastructure projects moving.

Because when infrastructure is mission-critical, labour supply is not a background function. It is part of the delivery engine. Vital understands that, and we deliver accordingly.