BLOG. Sustainability

Establishing the UK rail network as the beating heart of a cleaner, greener transport system, is something we are all striving for in the light of Government targets to reach net zero by 2050.? Industry leaders are delivering key projects for sustainable success...

For example, the high-speed Elizabeth line is celebrating two years of bringing London into the future with best-in-class 319 tonne trains and LED lighting, which is 63% more efficient than using standard light fittings. In addition, it has eased congestion and helped the capital’s post-pandemic recovery with an estimated 50,000 new jobs in the supply chain being supported by its construction. Projections suggest that this pioneering project will add ￡42bn to the UK economy.

Biodiverse green and brown rooftops have been built on stations and infrastructure buildings where possible across the Elizabeth line to support birds, mammals, bees and butterflies. These green and brown roof systems provide several environmental benefits including improvements to air quality, water absorption and drainage, conservation and biodiversity and reductions in noise. Did you know that the new Whitechapel Elizabeth line station is topped with a green roof of carbon cleansing sedum plants?

There’s no doubt that creating the most sustainable railway possible requires immense creativity and ingenuity, as industry specialists work alongside key stakeholders to deliver solutions which are future-focused and easy to integrate into our existing infrastructure.

Given the complexity of managing the urban environment going forwards, we anticipate that pooling knowledge and greater transparency throughout the tendering process will help all parties to reach common goals around reducing waste, managing resources and supporting social and environmental outcomes. In the bigger picture, all sustainability measures must help to ensure that we have a vibrant and healthy rail infrastructure ?to support the UK’s evolution on every level.

Our team at Railsafe Group anticipate that all aspects of sustainability (environmental, social and governance) will become fully integrated into all frameworks in our industry in line as climate change continues to impact everything from brownfield sites to developing new communities.

In fact, we believe that every single role in our industry will require greener thinking and a commitment to lifelong learning as the transport sector continues to evolve products and processes to support our precious environment. There is a tremendous opportunity for our industry to keep innovating and to demonstrate our expertise in preserving the best of Britain’s historic railway network alongside a commitment to build for the future. Today’s groundbreaking new projects are already inspiring architects, engineers and local authorities to think bigger and challenge convention.

We believe that ESG thought leadership will continue to evolve and it is vital to demonstrate short-term and long-term wins wherever possible as part of our industry’s education strategy. This might be as simple as looking at ways of reducing waste and improving recycling facilities or creating positive workplaces with a feel-good environment and a clear vision. We are proud of our commitment to the environment and have established an annual tree planting initiative to offset a portion of our carbon emissions. In fact, we find that being proactive and monitoring our progress keeps us motivated and enables us to use our lived experience when supporting our clients with their goals, especially when they are involved in high-profile developments.

For example, we have supported one of Anglia's largest projects with site supervision at Beaulieu Park. Working in partnership with J Murphy & Sons, Beaulieu Park is the first railway station to be built on the Great Eastern Main Line for over a 100-years, alongside new road infrastructure and up to 14,000 new homes as a sustainable urban extension to Chelmsford.

Set to open in 2025, Beaulieu Park Station is designed with sustainability in mind complete within express bus interchange, substantial cycle parking and pedestrian routes to optimise carbon reduction. Creating a brand-new station geared to a fledgling community is a massive undertaking, especially when high footfall is anticipated so going forwards the Rail Safe Group is well placed to advise on how safety and sustainability can go hand in hand.

We recognise the importance of reducing the impact of climate change, which is why RailSafe Group is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Our Carbon Plan accounts for all Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions that arise from energy consumption, waste generation, and associated transportation. Our reduction strategies include Energy Efficiency, ?Renewable Energy, ?Waste Reduction, Transportation, Carbon Offsetting and?Engagement and Education.

To find out more, please visit https://railsafegroup.co.uk/carbonplan

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