Network Rail

Management of Earthworks - Compliance Date: 3 February 2017
 N NR/L2/CIV/086 ISSUE 5

Annotation

This business process covers all Earthworks within the Network Rail boundary, and where it is appropriate to do so, slopes outside the boundary that might affect Network Rail infrastructure.

It applies to:

1. Network Rail owned or managed2 Earthworks equal to or greater than 3 metres high - this includes Earthworks lying above a Retaining Wall where the Earthwork component is greater than or equal to 3 metres;

2. Network Rail owned or managed1 Earthworks (irrespective of their height) whose failure could pose an unacceptable risk to the safe operation or performance of railway infrastructure, for example, those Earthworks which have a history of instability, or are at risk of flooding or water action;

3. Outside Party Slopes (irrespective of their height) whose failure could pose an unacceptable risk to the safe operation or performance of railway infrastructure (section 7.4 only applies). If application of this Standard is not appropriate to such slopes then a suitable bespoke system should be adopted to manage the risk;

4. Earthworks (irrespective of their height) that lie above the portal of a railway tunnel;

5. Approach Embankments to an overline Bridge that are equal to or greater than 3 metres high, except those owned by a Highway Authority, Roads Authority or other competent authority;

6. Nailed or reinforced soil structures whose face angle is less than or equal to 70 degrees to the horizontal;

7. Any Embankment that also acts as a Coastal, Estuarine or River Defence, irrespective of its height.