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Preston-based Eric Wright Rail (EWR), the specialist division of the Eric Wright Group established to undertake rail infrastructure projects, has been awarded a Principal Contractor Licence (PCL) by Network Rail.
The full Licence formalises EWR’s credentials for delivering rail infrastructure projects following a comprehensive audit of a recent level crossing upgrade project in Kent. It follows a lengthy process to achieve a provisional PCL, which enabled the company to bid for the Kent work.
Adrian Taylor, director of EWR, said: “Rail sector projects require specialist expertise and extremely high levels of health & safety due diligence so any contractor working in the industry must demonstrate that they have the technical and procedural requirements needed to meet Network Rail’s standards.
“PCL qualification is the formal process by which those requirements are first assessed for a provisional licence and then audited on a live site for a full PCL licence. We are delighted to have passed both steps with flying colours.”
The Kent project involved design development and installation of an electronic early warning system at a level crossing in Edenbridge, including all associated signalling, foundations and service ‘troughing’ works.
Network Rail’s licensing team attended the site to witness the works and interview the project team to ensure that EWR was adhering to its PCL systems and processes before awarding the full licence.
EWR will now be able to bid for further Network Rail infrastructure schemes across the UK, building on the company’s track record in the rail sector, which includes numerous station car park upgrades and a number of minor works projects for various rail operators.
Adrian continues: “This is a very exciting time for the rail sector as increases in passenger numbers, the electrification programme and the re-opening of old routes all continue to drive investment in the network.
“At EWR, we believe we are well-placed to benefit from those opportunities with a multi-disciplinary skill set that builds on the achievements of our civil engineering business. We are also investing in bringing specialist skills and safety critical personnel into the business to ensure that we continue to answer the complex needs of rail infrastructure schemes with our core civil engineering competencies and a dynamic approach to business development.”
