- By Greg
- In Rail, Construction, Groundworks, Station Repairs
AW RAIL – POKESDOWN SUBSTATION
Pokesdown Substation – In early December, AW Rail commenced works for our valued client Octavius and Southern Renewals Enterprise on the construction of a new substation at Pokesdown. The project scope includes TBS02 building works, comprising brickwork, blockwork, and associated ancillaries, alongside TBS03 concrete works for the first-floor slab. These works are being delivered in close collaboration with the client and project stakeholders to ensure completion in line with approved specifications and programme requirements.
Following full site set up, including inductions, welfare provision, and segregation of working areas, material deliveries were coordinated and securely stored within the designated compound. With mobilisation complete, our team of skilled operatives, including competent bricklayers began construction activities, including the installation of the concrete slab and the commencement of associated brick and blockwork.
Challenging winter weather conditions required the team to adapt daily working practices while maintaining strict compliance with health and safety standards. All loading, handling, and site activities were carefully managed to always ensure safe operations. Despite these conditions, the project has progressed well under the leadership of the on-site Foreman, Project Lead, and Octavius engineering team.
Following a planned Christmas and New Year shutdown, works resumed in early January with strong momentum. The structure is now rising steadily and taking clear shape. Brick and blockwork outputs are meeting programme targets, and scaffolding has been erected to allow continued progress beyond first-floor level.
High standards of housekeeping and site management are being maintained throughout the project life cycle. A clean and well-organised working environment remains a priority to support safety and compliance. A recent site inspection by Network Rail confirmed the high standards of site management being deployed by our team and the interaction of our operatives working on this project.
Due to the ongoing use of hand-held and mechanical equipment, HAVS monitoring has been implemented across the team and monitored daily. In addition, concrete cube testing has been carried out to verify quality and structural performance.
The strong start to the Pokesdown Substation project reflects AW Rail’s commitment to safe working practices, high-quality delivery, and effective collaboration with our clients. The project continues to progress in line with programme delivery, establishing a solid foundation for the next phases of construction.
We look forward to bringing you further updates on the project in the coming weeks and the successful completion of this new substation.
AW Rail Services have been delivering rail projects for several years right across the Rail & Construction sector.
Our extensive rail experience of over 120 years, combining decades of hands-on knowledge, providing building enhancements and maintenance solutions, improving infrastructure for passengers and operators, delivering major projects, and fulfilling long-term maintenance contracts really sets us apart.
Our services are varied from structural maintenance on tunnels, bridges, foot crossings, signal gantries, to station refurbishment, platform enhancements, civils works on and around the track, the mechanism management of lineside vegetation and further afield, painting of all types of structures and lastly but perhaps most importantly the provision of rail labour, not only supporting the projects we carry out for our projects but for the provision of labour to other clients.
