Trusted by Network Rail to Keep Britain’s Railways Running

Vital & Network Rail.

150 m Safe-Walking Route. 400 m New Troughing. Zero Disruption.

From planning to delivery.

At Needlefield Yard, Network Rail required:

• Removal of vegetation and redundant track/trough routes.
  
• Creation of formation for a new infirmary line and safe-walking route.
• Installation of a 150m safe walking route.
  
• Installation of over 400m of new troughing routes.
  
• Installation of wall-mounted & bollard lighting for the safe route.
  
• Signalling and telecoms cable installation along with trackside kiosk.
  
• Installation of a new infirmary line with BV turnout.
  

Our mission: coordinate all trades, maintain programme integrity, manage material flows, abide by COVID-19 safety, and deliver the upgrade seamlessly.

With a structured planning regime, including weekly Teams meetings with Network Rail’s project management team covering timeline, compound setup, materials, plant, design queries and subcontractors. We delivered.

Reliable teams. Ready now.

How we made it work.

Precision, communication, delivery.

• A dedicated Vital Projects planning team engaged with Network Rail Works Delivery in weekly virtual coordination to minimise face-to-face contact, reducing COVID-19 risk and preserving programme momentum.

• Compound location, material acquisition, large plant logistics and design clarification managed in real time.

• Multi-discipline teams (signalling, telecoms, civils, P-way) integrated under one delivery plan to avoid interface failures and disruption.

• Safety and access were prioritised: the safe walking route was built with lighting and bollards to ensure staff and traffic segregation.

• Redundant infrastructure removal and new installations orchestrated to maintain yard operations.

This was not simply “construction”. This was operational delivery under live asset constraints, executed by people who understand what “railworks” really requires.

When railworks can’t wait, Vital delivers for Network Rail.

Results that deliver confidence.

Our partnership with Network Rail achieved what matters: continuity, safety, and operational resilience.

• Labour supply across 34 of 40 delivery units – nationwide coverage. 
• High-quality signalling operatives, often placed at very short notice, with strong feedback: 
• Embedded safety & fatigue control systems: fewer human errors, higher site compliance. 
• Trusted insult-proof supply chain during an industry-stress period (e.g., pandemic) – Vital kept delivering when others wobbled.

“The successful completion of this project is a great example of the collaborative working between Works Delivery Track and Vital Projects, with the planning and delivering this critical new connection and associated facets against the backdrop of various restrictions across society due to COVID-19 a real collective achievement. A massive thanks to the Vital Projects team for their work and determination in getting this one over the line.” – Blair Cockburn, Scheme Project Manager, Network Rail Works Delivery

Network Rail’s yard upgrade. Delivered by Vital.

Lessons that shape the future.

On infrastructure projects where the network must stay live, the only option is performance without compromise.

We found that:

• Virtual weekly coordination can maintain operational rhythm even when site access is restricted. 
• Embedded multi-discipline teams reduce hand-off risk and improve delivery velocity. 
• Safety accesses (safe walking routes, lighting) matter not just for compliance. They keep delivery flowing. 
• Clear plans for redundancy removal and new installation are critical to avoid operational interference. 

When railworks need continuity and complexity, Vital delivers with clarity and control. That’s why Network Rail trusts us to keep the network on track.