In May 2024, Pod-Trak were engaged by Balfour Beatty Rail to assist with the emergency reinstatement of a landslip at Sonning, Berkshire. A substantial section of the embankment had failed, obstructing the railway and disrupting services. Although train operations were quickly restored, a complex civil engineering solution was required to stabilise the slope and reinstate long-term integrity while maintaining live traffic.
Working collaboratively with Balfour Beatty and Network Rail, Pod-Trak’s experienced civil engineering team delivered a safe, efficient, and innovative programme of stabilisation works under constrained access conditions.
Access to the site was extremely limited and adjacent to a live railway and local businesses. Pod-Trak developed an access road cut into the embankment, enabling safe movement of excavators and dumpers while maintaining slope stability.
Night-time possessions were used for RRV removal of trackside material, while daytime operations focused on re-profiling and drainage installation.
During works on the south embankment, a secondary failure occurred on the opposite slope. Pod-Trak immediately mobilised an additional team, working on both sides simultaneously to clear debris and reopen the line.
The permanent stabilisation design included sheet piling tied back with soil nails, stepped slope profiling, and full geotextile coverage compacted with 6G material to restore long-term stability.
Pod-Trak delivered innovation in action through a coordinated, dual-site mobilisation strategy that allowed parallel working and the swift reopening of both lines. By adopting a pre-augered piling method, the team effectively reduced vibration and safeguarded the surrounding track infrastructure, while carefully planned logistics ensured smooth spoil removal and material delivery despite the constrained environment. Durability was further strengthened through the integration of counterfort drainage and reinforced geotextile systems. Throughout the programme, our close collaboration with Balfour Beatty and Network Rail, combined with a blend of track possessions, daytime works, and a continuous 24/7 schedule, ensured the project was delivered safely and to a high standard – exemplifying a proactive, disciplined, and quality-driven approach.
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