Pod-Trak played a key role in the £20m Barking Riverside Extension, supporting the development of 10,000 new homes in East London by extending the London Overground from Barking to the new Barking Riverside Station. Working for the Morgan Sindall VolkerFitzpatrick Joint Venture (MSVF JV), Pod-Trak delivered all Permanent Way and Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) works. This 4.5km extension, including a 1.5km viaduct, connected the Tilbury Loop Line to the new station and formed a vital part of London’s growth corridor.
The project’s biggest challenge was maintaining operational continuity while constructing new infrastructure and reconfiguring existing assets. Pod-Trak implemented a fully integrated delivery programme, coordinating Permanent Way and OLE activities within pre-planned possessions. Complex tie-ins and staging dependencies were managed through close collaboration with MSVF JV, Network Rail, and TfL. Staged handbacks, progressive documentation, and clear interface management ensured the project met critical milestones while keeping main lines operational throughout delivery.
Pod-Trak’s self-delivery model, supported by its in-house Plant Division, enabled full control over access, plant, and logistics. Road-rail MEWPs, dozers, excavator cranes and specialist OLE lifting equipment were deployed efficiently to minimise downtime. Digital planning and shift sequencing were refined through lessons learned from 50-hour possessions, including staggered shift sign-ins and text-based sign-outs to reduce bottlenecks. This integrated approach improved productivity, safety, and quality across one of London’s most significant transport infrastructure projects.
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