Track Leaf Removal
Client:
London Underground
Programme:
Jan 15
-
Jan 16
Location:
London
Discipline:
Track
Project Overview
We are the incumbent Vegetation Removal Contractors on London Underground.
Scope of Works
- In 2015-16, LU had a problem with leaves on the rail tracks. Adhesive leaf fall created an issue in that both tracks and train wheels could be impacted both in terms of slips and reported flats.
- Where flats were reported, train wheels would need to be removed, then re-lathed to assume circularity.
- Where this were the case, the Train Operating Companies would have to report Lost Customer Hours against their performance targets, leading to a loss in revenue.
Innovations
Cleshar undertook a project within the confines of the contract. The project analysed to what extent vegetation could be removed from the trackside. The project enabled us to identify and target the responsible plants (i.e., Oak trees) and introduce sensitive controls when carrying out removal works. This has led to us undertaking strategic surgery rather than full scale removal of Oak trees.
Benefits / Project Outcome
- There have been very few cases reported since our project was completed of leaf fall impacting rail services on the LU lines.
- We have increased the scope of our targeted clearance work across the network, and this has led to positive outcomes for the client and commuters within the London area.