Octavius is hard at work on the Farncombe to Petersfield (F2P) re-signalling programme, part of the Portsmouth Upgrade Scheme to renew and place life expired signalling systems that were originally installed in the 1970s. After successfully and safely delivering the first phase of the scheme between 2020-2023, Octavius is Network Rail’s principal contractor delivering the £10 million package of civils elements to complete the final stages.
The much needed upgrades to the old signalling system will allow safe movement of trains and improve reliability of the railway route. The civil engineering works facilitate the whole programme: they include piling to install signal posts, signposts, signal gantries and power pillar bases. Also, installing distributer network operators supply bases, cable routes and under track crossing and under road crossings (conduits that carry cables from side of the area to another) across various locations along the railway route.
The works are being carried out in collaboration with Alstom, the signalling contractor. They commenced in March this year and are expected to be completed in summer 2024.
Committed to helping the local community, Octavius recognises the significant disruption construction works can cause and tries to add value to the communities in which it works. Throughout Phase 1 of the scheme the company worked hard to minimise disruption and delivered several social value activities including over £3m spend with SMEs, helped to cut lineside neighbours hedges, carried out volunteering days to collect litter and donated materials to Hollycombe Working Steam Museum, a registered charity in Liphook with supply chain partners SRS and Coombes. Octavius will be further supporting the community throughout this next phase.
Isayas Tecleberhan, Framework Director at Octavius said:
“We’re delighted to have been appointed as trusted partner to the next phase of the Farncombe to Petersfield scheme (F2P) major Civils, this follows our successful delivery of phase 1 of the scheme.
We look forward to supporting Alstom and Network Rail to deliver this exciting project which will bring significant benefit to passenger train performance and reliability.”
