Euston station enabling works (Network Rail)

Improving productivity, delivering to time and budget 

Skanska has successfully completed a huge programme of enabling works at Euston Station for customer Network Rail. The works, which at peak construction involved more than 200 people, have transformed parts of the station in preparation for HS2.
During the course of the seven-year project we kept developing new ways of working that helped us to save money, reduce carbon emissions and ensured consistent, predictable delivery. 

Collaborative design assurance 

Bringing design and buildability closer together meant that we were able to accelerate construction programmes and achieve greater certainty in delivery. 

We introduced a Collaborative Design Assurance process based on Network Rail’s Project SPEED principles. This integrated the construction teams, Network Rail and other stakeholders into the design process.

Collaborative design meetings were held at agreed stages, based on the complexity of the work, which led to faster reviews and approvals. It also meant that we could draw on the expertise of our Skanska team mates and supply chain much earlier, helping to optimise buildability and reduce cost and carbon. 

A standardised reporting programme ensured consistency between the design, Skanska and Network Rail teams. Over 200 design packages were assured and delivered right first time, with no issues or defects, in the space of two years.

Common data environment and digital tools 

We worked with Network Rail and our supply chain, setting up new digital tools that all key partners could access. This had numerous benefits, with consistent information accessible in real-time – improving collaboration between all parties, reducing time and cost. 

• ProjectWise common data environment (CDE): integrated with Network Rail’s CDE, believed to be the first of its kind for Network Rail. Enabled work in progress information to be reviewed in real-time. Led to quicker resolution of issues, reduced as-built information production time/cost, and supported right-first time delivery at all project stages
• Truview: point cloud scans provided photo like data to aid efficient desktop checks. This eliminated unnecessary visits to live construction sites and working at height in busy pedestrian areas
• Building from models instead of drawings: reduced the number of AFC (approved for construction) and as-built drawings, with faster as-built validation of designs. This helped to reduce site errors and allowed faster as-built verification of the works against design.
• Augmented reality: provided confidence on clashes and clearances, and was also a fantastically visual means for presenting designs to local communities and stakeholders

Handback 

In construction, we can’t just concentrate on the physical asset we’re creating – we need to plan for whole life maintenance, once we hand keys to the site back to the customer. This includes sharing all the files, drawings, models and information they need to keep the asset in the right condition for their customers. 

The simpler and easier we can make this the better. 

However, the criticality of the assets to be maintained combined with the need to ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards, means that the process is complex. Working with Network Rail we found ways to streamline the process, while ensuring compliance every step of the way. 

We worked collaboratively with Network Rail to develop, review and accept as-built and handback information. This led to a reduction in-as built information production time of 50% and cost savings of 62% from previous stages.

For health and safety, we introduced standard file templates that were progressively updated with all files submitted within four weeks of construction finishing.