Unique risks in railway environments:

The discovery of ACMs in railway infrastructure presented distinct challenges, with potential impacts extending beyond the immediate site:
• Public safety: railway stations and platforms are high-traffic areas used by thousands of passengers daily. Disturbance of ACMs could expose the travelling public to harmful asbestos fibres, putting health at risk.
• Operational continuity: railways are critical transport hubs, and any delays or closures can have a domino effect on travel networks, affecting not only local services but national and international routes. Asbestos issues that lead to service interruptions could severely disrupt transport schedules.
• Complex structures: railways include a variety of structures, from platforms and signal boxes to tunnels and bridges. Asbestos is often found in these ageing structures, requiring careful, site-specific management to ensure safe removal or containment without compromising the integrity of the infrastructure.
• Environmental considerations: railway lines often pass through protected environments, urban areas, and sensitive ecological zones. Improper asbestos handling in such areas could pose environmental hazards, in addition to human health risks.

Works undertaken:

To manage these unique challenges, BCS delivered a comprehensive asbestos management plan with a focus on minimising public exposure, maintaining operational continuity, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations:
1 Comprehensive asbestos survey across multiple sites: a full survey was conducted to identify ACMs across various railway facilities, including tunnels, signal rooms, and station buildings. Special attention was given to high-traffic areas such as platforms, waiting rooms, and ticketing offices, where passenger exposure risks are highest. ACMs were also identified in tunnels and underground passages, requiring advanced containment solutions.
2 Site-specific containment and mitigation: given the operational importance of railways, BCS developed customised containment solutions. Temporary encapsulation methods were used to isolate asbestos in areas that could not immediately undergo removal. In tunnels, this involved creating sealed work zones with negative pressure systems to ensure fibres were contained, allowing railway operations to continue without risk to passengers or staff.
3 Night-time and off-peak scheduling: to minimise disruptions to daily rail services, all high-risk asbestos removal and remediation works were scheduled during off-peak hours, particularly during the night. This phased approach ensured that critical transport links remained operational while maintaining the safety of both passengers and workers.
4 Environmental safeguarding: railway projects often intersect with environmentally sensitive areas. BCS applied its expertise in environmental compliance to ensure asbestos handling and removal were conducted with full regard for local ecosystems and protected zones. This included careful disposal procedures and air quality monitoring to prevent contamination of surrounding areas.
5 Real-time air monitoring and public safety assurance: throughout the project, real-time air monitoring was conducted in public areas and work zones to detect any potential asbestos fibre release. This provided immediate feedback to ensure that containment measures were working effectively and that public areas remained safe for passengers.

Benefits of working with BCS:

Partnering with us for railway infrastructure projects delivers several unique advantages:
1, Rapid response and flexible scheduling: railway networks cannot afford extended downtime. BCS is known for its rapid mobilisation and flexible scheduling, adapting to the unique needs of railway environments. Night-time and off-peak remediation minimise service disruptions, keeping essential transport services operational while managing asbestos risks effectively.

2, Specialised expertise in transport and infrastructure: BCS has extensive experience managing asbestos in complex infrastructure settings, including railways. The team’s deep knowledge of the technical and regulatory requirements ensures that each project is executed to the highest standards of safety and compliance, tailored to the specific demands of railway environments.

3, Bespoke containment solutions for operational continuity: unlike many consultancies that focus solely on asbestos removal, BCS specialises in providing bespoke containment solutions that allow ongoing use of critical infrastructure. Encapsulation techniques and phased work ensure that asbestos risks are managed while keeping railway operations running smoothly.

4, Environmental compliance and sustainability: railways often intersect with sensitive environmental areas, and improper asbestos management can lead to lasting ecological damage. Our commitment to environmental sustainability means all asbestos projects are executed with a focus on minimising environmental impact, including the use of eco-friendly disposal practices and careful containment near protected areas.

Uncompromising safety standards: in high-traffic public spaces like railway stations, safety is paramount. BCS employs industry-leading safety protocols, ensuring that every aspect of asbestos management—whether survey, containment, or removal—is conducted with an uncompromising commitment to passenger and worker safety. Real-time monitoring and immediate corrective actions ensure that no risk is left unmanaged.

For any transport network, the expertise of BCS provides essential risk mitigation, ensuring that asbestos challenges are addressed with precision, speed, and care. This allows railway services to continue operating safely and efficiently, protecting both public health and the environment.