AfA on the Ground: A Glimpse into the Day-to-Day

With every Access for All (AfA) scheme being so site-specific – shaped by its unique location, layout, constraints and community, describing a “typical day” on one of these projects is next to impossible.

But while the work varies from station to station, certain things never change: the need to adapt quickly, collaborate closely, communicate clearly and keep the programme moving.

Consistency and uniformity are important when it comes to the overall approach and priorities. Likewise, standardisation helps with efficiency and is always a priority. But this is tempered by the unique characteristics of every project: the surroundings, access arrangements, station configuration, space constraints, fabric, and the needs and views of community neighbours.

Challenges and Rewards

Island platforms, of which there are 996 in the network, are a common challenge. At Stoneleigh this necessitated the use of telehandlers to remove excavated material and an existing building.

As one of our project managers puts it: “Access for All (AfA) schemes are inherently multidisciplinary. Each day brings its own unique challenges and rewards, making the role both dynamic and fulfilling.

“Mornings often begin with catching up with the team and suppliers. These conversations help surface potential issues early, before they escalate. Over time, I’ve learned that no matter how well a site is managed, unforeseen issues are inevitable. What truly matters is how we respond to them.

“Meetings with suppliers to review upcoming works are critical to ensure the project stays on track. Communication ensures clarity of roles, responsibilities, and expectations. When necessary, we hold risk reduction meetings with clients and designers to agree the best path forward.

“Daily catch-ups with the Quantity Surveyor are also part of the routine to ensure that project costs are kept under control. Some days involve reviewing the track access lookahead, confirming temporary works designs, or preparing for audits.

“Programme management often feels like a game of chess—strategically planning several moves ahead. AfA projects involve numerous small activities by different trades, where one task often depends on the completion of another. Clear scheduling is key to maintaining momentum.”

Community Support

AfA schemes are typically delivered in towns with active communities, local councils, and the travelling public. It’s vital that we build strong relationships and maintain a safe, presentable environment.

Active community engagement isn’t just the right thing to do, it also helps projects run more smoothly. By active engagement and giving back through initiatives such as volunteer days our teams receive local support such as:

• Favourable parking suspension terms adjacent to Stoneleigh Station from the local authority, which helped make access, laydown and welfare arrangements much simpler.
• An area of Barnes Common, formerly a railway coal and goods yard, being made available for the works compound.
• West Barnes Library car park being given over for laydown and welfare for our AfA team at Motspur Park.

A final illustration of just how different AfA schemes can be comes from Grays Station. Access to the platforms is via a subway – accessed by 6m deep lift shafts –  rather than footbridges. Space constraints made installing conventional lifts unsuitable. So we installed the first ever vertical linear beam lift to the network, which may become a standard for future projects.

Each day and each new scheme brings fresh challenges. Our AfA teams take these in their stride through collaboration and creativity.

Access our AfA resource area below to find out more.