Post-Carmont taskforces make over 50 recommendations
CONTINUALLY INCREASING expenditure on earthworks management and better use of technology are among actions taken by Network Rail in response to the Carmont derailment on 12 August 2020.
TASKFORCE REPORTS PUBLISHED
MAIR MAJORS ON WATER MANAGEMENT
The review of earthworks management led by Lord Mair placed particularly focus on water management. An overriding theme of the task force’s report is that soil pore water pressure is a key parameter in determining earthwork stability. Lord Mair proposes Network Rail should improve its knowledge of pore water pressure distribution in earthwork slopes, which will assist understanding of slope behaviour, particularly in response to adverse weather and climate change.
The report commends wider aerial inspection, using combinations of photography and LIDAR analysis rather than the limited benefit brought by ground-level inspection alone. vIt also highlights the connection between earthwork and vegetation management, and reflecting the Varley review of vegetation management Lord Mair advocates treating vegetation on slopes as an asset, influencing pore water pressure, with roots aiding slope stability but being mana…
