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UPM Tilhill wins first Network Rail contract in the LNE North East area

UPM Tilhill, the UK\'s leading landscaping, arboriculture and environmental works company, has been awarded a contract with Network Rail to undertake vegetation management operations along major sections of the London North Eastern (LNE) North East area territory.

The package of works, awarded to the company’s Yorkshire District based at Thirsk, will begin later this month and is the first to be undertaken by the company in the LNE North East contract area. Works will extend along 20 miles of the YMS (York Malton Scarborough) line and along 12 miles of the NOC line south of York down to Fairburn near the A1M.

“Our rail team is delighted to have secured this contract from Network Rail LNE where our priority will be on the first class maintenance of the lineside environment,” said Simon Rochester, District Manager, UPM Tilhill. “UPM Tilhill is recognised within the industry for its exemplary quality, safety and environmental credentials and we are particularly well-placed to support Network Rail’s Biodiversity Action Plan which demands sensitive management of the lineside environment.”

Following news of the award, UPM Tilhill promoted Guy Strickett as Rail Contracts Manager and appointed David Garstang as Rail Supervisor. Guy, formerly rail supervisor working in Network Rail Western Territory at the company’s Wessex District office, and David will oversee the contract and manage four contract teams who will be operational across the network. Guy and David bring a wealth of talent to their new roles, having together clocked up some 20 years practical and management experience on rail and utility vegetation management contracts.

The contract comprises:

• vegetation clearance and maintenance of the 5 metre flail strip each side of the track;
• felling dead, dying and diseased trees;
• keeping signal sightings and level crossings clear;
• working on night possessions.

Prior to work commencing, the Yorkshire rail team consulted closely with Natural England and DEFRA for operations along the numerous sections of the line which pass through Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) and other Special Conservation Areas. 

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Ruth Roy
01892 861008/07771 940494
ruth.roy@upm-kymmene.com