Translink Third Party Works (TPW) procedure applies to any work within 50 metres of the railway boundary. This procedure along with associated documents and guides are provided below.

Guidance

Third Party Works Procedure

Translink Third Party Works (TPW) Procedure (PDF 1.2 mb)

A Third Party in this procedure is defined as; an external party to NI Railways who seeks to do work that potentially impacts the railway in any form, including works that are adjacent to the railway boundary, under, over the railway or have a direct or indirect impact to the infrastructure, operations or safety of the railway.

A third party, as set out in this procedure, may refer to the third party itself, client, its agents, consultants, representatives or contractors (including sub-contractors).

All Third Party Works shall be carried out in accordance with the NIR Third Party Works Procedure.

Works around Level Crossings

Note: For work within 200m of a level crossing or with the potential to cause ‘blocking back’ over the level crossing please refer to the below link. Where this work is deemed to be of a higher risk by the TPW Engineer, the TPW Procedure will also apply.

Works around Level Crossing Form (PDF 143 kb)

Working or Access on the Railway: Additional to the above Requirements

Safety Critical Suppliers Guidance

This forms part of the minimum safe system requirements for each operative to access on the railway.

Download Safety Critical Suppliers Guidance (Word 18.3 kb)

Personnel who need access or to work on or near to the railway track are required to complete this course, in addition to TPW Procedure permission. This should be organised well in advance of commencing work as a specific medical and toxicology must be passed before the training can be undertaken. Details of approved medical and training suppliers in the above document.

Translink Safety Hub & NIR Construction Minimum Requirements

Translink Construction Minimum Requirements apply to third party works where a party, other than NI Railways, engages a Contractor to carry out work on or near Translink Infrastructure. These requirements are applicable to the client, consultants and for the Contractor during the planning, design and undertaking of the works.

This document and other relevant documents for works around the railway are available on the Translink Safety Hub. Please follow the steps below to access;

Complete the online form: Translink Safety Hub Access Request to access the Translink Safety Hub information at links below;
Construction Works Minimum Requirements
Visit the Safety Hub For further documents and requirements as applicable to your proposed works around the railway. Any issues please contact us.

Discuss with your allocated Third Party Works Engineer for guidance on Works within the Railway Boundary or Adjacent works.

Trees, Vegetation and Boundary Security Management

Trees & Vegetation

If you or your tree surgeon propose to cut tree(s) on third party lands which may be of risk to the railway or the safe passage of trains during these works, please contact the Third Party Works (TPW) team to submit a TPW request to arrange a safe system around the railway.

It is your responsibility to manage the risk from trees on your land so that they do not cause a danger to the railway and safe passage of trains.

Fences, Walls and Boundary Security

If you or your contractor propose to maintain, repair, modify or replace the fence, wall or vegetation that forms or affects the boundary with the railway, please contact the Third Party Works team to submit a TPW request to arrange a safe system around the railway.

Note: It is important that you contact our team to arrange these safe systems as Trespass beyond the railway boundary is an offence, due to the risk to yourself or others being struck by a train, which may be as a result of your actions or omissions.

TPW Permit required for this Work

Please do not start any works until permission to proceed has been granted by our TPW team in order to assess the risk and facilitate measures to protect the railway where necessary.

Contact Third Party Works

Emergency affecting the Railway

If a tree has already fallen onto our land or is at imminent risk of falling, please follow the Emergency Procedure.

Trees on Translink land, not covered by this TPW process

The TPW team do not manage trees, vegetation or boundary security within the railway corridor and therefore cannot provide advice in that regard.

Learn more about Tree Management.

Management of Structures around the NI Railways

Asset Owners around the railway (including assets over, under on and adjacent) are responsible for the safety and stability of their assets including regular inspection, maintenance and liability for potential defects or failure occurring which may affect the railway and the safe passage of trains.

Requirements for this are as per I/STR/STD/032 Management of Structures standard, discuss and provide details of this with the Third Party Works team, see contact information below.

Management arrangements shall be agreed with Translink for existing and new proposed structural assets including

Identity of the owner and location of the structure(s)
Details of the management arrangements for Inspection, Maintenance & Repair works including frequency and timescales
Reporting of the above information on a regular to Translink for risk review in relation to the assurance of the safe passage of trains.