In the fast-paced world of emergency works, every minute counts. Gather's tool helped to streamline this high-profile project by creating detailed site records and allocation sheets.
Phil Jones
Operations Manager
Unprecedented rainfall has eroded a remote section of rail line embankment at Bough Beech, near Edenbridge in Kent. This landslip has caused the Redhill to Tonbridge line to close since Easter Friday, 29 March, disrupting the vital transport link between Kent and Sussex.
The closure has received much public attention as many rely on the rail line. Network Rail responded swiftly, entrusting Dyer & Butler with the rapid repair of over 100 metres of the embankment while minimising disruptions to railway operations.
Having worked with Gather in the past, Phil Jones, the Operations Manager of Dyer & Butler, knew that our site record management tool was essential to deliver this project speedily and efficiently: "In the fast-paced world of emergency works, every minute counts. Instead of scrambling to gather information and resources while dealing with multiple supply chain partners and hundreds of workers, Gather's tool streamlined this process by creating detailed site records and allocation sheets."
As a contractor, emergency projects like the Bough Beech landslip come with many challenges. Time sensitivity almost always requires quick mobilisation of resources and meticulous coordination between all parties involved.
Costs can overrun due to inefficient resource allocation, which leads to potential disputes with clients. Traditional methods, relying on spreadsheets and fragmented communication, lack transparency and can lead to misunderstandings about resource deployment.
With high-profile projects like Bough Beech landslip, the performance of contractors is under immense client and public scrutiny. Any delays, quality issues, safety incidents and environmental disruptions can damage the contractor's reputation and future business prospects. Balancing the need to deliver quickly while maintaining high standards requires experience, clear communications and real-time site insights.
After the emergency works have been delivered, contractors face risks of potential disputes, long payment terms, as well as timely, detailed reporting. Having consistent, complete, high-quality project records is one of the most effective ways to ensure fairness, accountability and good client relationships.
Dyer & Butler chose Gather's site record solution to solve the myriad of challenges associated with emergency works, provide commercial assurance and minimise the potential of disputes.
Specifically, Gather's site record platform has provided the following benefits:
As reported by the media, Network Rail was proud to announce that the Redhill and Tonbridge line resumed service ahead of schedule on Monday, 15 April 2024. The project has seen over 10,000 hours of work over 10 days, bringing together 300 professionals and 20+ supply chain partners.
Lead contractor Dyer & Butler has installed a 60-metre sheet piled wall at the endangered rail line embankment, reinforced by long soil nails to prevent any future landslides.
Darren Hutchings, Head of Commercial of Dyer & Butler, is pleased with the detailed site records generated by Gather: "Having a centralised repository of site records allows us to objectively analyse resource allocation patterns of any recorded projects. We can demonstrate clear cost efficiency to Network Rail. This data-driven approach strengthens our commercial position and allows us to secure more favourable terms on future projects."
Whilst consistent record keeping is essential to the commercial success and long term operational learnings of any infrastructure project, it is often neglected in times of emergencies.
"Gather is designed by engineers and quantity surveyors for works of any delivery timeframe," CEO of Gather William Doyle is confident about the agility of the platform: "Our platform is off the shelf. You can configure it to facilitate your project in a matter of minutes. This rapid deployment capability makes it valuable for contractors of emergency infrastructure works."
To learn how we can empower you to optimise project execution, reduce costs, and enhance communication, book a free demo today.
Learn more about why having consistent, accurate records is worth your time and resources:
