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AW Rail Services – Successful Award of the London Trams Winter Gritting and De-Icing Contract

AW Rail are proud to announce that our team has been awarded the London Trams Winter Gritting and De-icing Contract, securing a three-year partnership to help keep one of the capital’s key transport networks running safely and efficiently through the harshest months of the year.

This award is a testament to our proven track record in delivering reliable, rapid, and well-coordinated multidisciplined service operations. Our experience across transport and infrastructure networks has built a reputation for readiness and precision—qualities that are essential when London’s temperatures begin to drop and conditions turn unpredictable.

Our mobilisation strategy is built around one core principle: be ready before the first frost forms. Working alongside London Trams Control Office we will operate a continuous weather monitoring system dialogue that allows our teams to react the moment temperatures approach freezing, ensuring that gritting and de-icing operations are in place before ice has the chance to develop. When forecasts predict snow or freezing rain, our crews and vehicles are on standby, fully equipped and strategically positioned to respond immediately.

We use modern spreading and liquid de-icing technology to maintain consistent coverage across the network. This ensures that tram lines, depots, and key access routes remain safe and operational, reducing disruption to passengers and maintaining the reliability that London depends on. Our equipment is regularly maintained and calibrated to meet both environmental standards and operational requirements, using eco-friendly materials that deliver maximum performance with minimal environmental impact.

Equally important is the skill and dedication of our workforce. Our operators and supervisors undergo continuous training to ensure they are ready for every scenario winter can throw at them—from overnight temperature drops to prolonged cold spells. Safety is embedded into every layer of our process, from route planning to vehicle operations, guaranteeing that all work is carried out efficiently and responsibly.

Winning this tender is not just about maintaining the network—it’s about partnership. Over the next three years, we look forward to working closely with the London Trams team to refine and enhance winter resilience across the network. Collaboration will be key: sharing operational data, improving response times, and continually reviewing best practice to ensure passengers experience minimal disruption regardless of weather conditions.

We take great pride in being entrusted with this critical service. London’s tram network plays an essential role in connecting communities and supporting daily travel across the trams network, and our commitment is to ensure it remains dependable through every winter. From first frost to final thaw, our team stands ready to deliver safe, seamless, and sustainable operations throughout the contract term.

This successful award marks another milestone in our company’s ongoing mission to provide excellence in infrastructure maintenance and support.  We’re ready to get to work—and to show once again that with preparation, professionalism, and partnership, London keeps moving no matter what the winter brings.