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Please contact our Third Party Works (TPW) team as early as possible if you plan to carry out work:

  • within 50 metres of the railway boundary.
  • within 200 metres of a level crossing.
  • or that could cause traffic to queue over a level crossing.

A TPW engineer will contact you and explain the railway safety requirements that apply to your project.

You must have a signed TPW Permit before any work starts within 50 metres of the railway. For street works within 200 metres of a level crossing, a DFI Roads Permit must not be issued until the TPW team has provided a signed Level Crossing Form.

Railways can be dangerous places. Work carried out near the railway can put your staff, Translink employees and members of the public at risk. We understand these risks and will work with you to reduce them wherever possible. This helps keep trains running safely and protects passengers and workers.

Watch our awareness video to learn more about these requirements and how we can support your project.



Examples of Third Party Works?

A graphic showing works near a railway line.

We can help you with the requirements and potential safe systems of works around the railway including:

  • Construction or building works.
  • Cranes, piling, MEWPS and lifting equipment.
  • Utility works.
  • Bridge works including work at bridges over or under the railway.
  • Road and/or footway resurfacing and traffic management schemes.
  • Access onto the railway network.
  • Works at Level Crossings.
  • Drainage works or flood risk near or connected to the railway.
  • Domestic related projects (e.g. house extension & excavation works affecting slopes/retaining walls).
  • Domestic maintenance (e.g. roof, scaffolding, building repair, maintenance, boundary works and tree management).

For more information download our Third Party Party Works guide - PDF (1658kb). 


Contacting Translink Third Party Works

Contact us as far in advance of the proposed works as possible to allow necessary consultation of proposals and requirements for you to meet your programme dates while mitigating potential risks to the railway.

Telephone: 028 9066 6630 / WhatsApp: message us on 07583122646

email: thirdpartyworks@translink.co.uk

Please provide your contact details, site location & outline proposals or a site plan.

We will then:

  • Review your proposals and allocate an engineer to follow up with you within 10 working days. This TPW engineer will be your point of contact available for calls, emails, meetings or site visits.
  • Provide initial advice on the railway requirements relevant to your proposal(s), TPW procedure and next steps.
  • Advise if your proposals are considered minor or major TPW. 

Typical minimum notice periods (Form 1)

  • Minor TPW: 6-8 Weeks minimum notice to allow for review, consultation and safe system of works arrangements.
  • Major TPW: 6 months minimum or more for complex proposals to complete the full requirements of the TPW Procedure and associated requirements relevant to your proposals.

Permit for works

A signed Third-Party Works Permit is required prior to commencement of any works within 50m. 

Formal procedure and forms

All Third-Party Works shall be carried out in accordance with the Translink Third Party Works Procedure, along with all relevant requirements available in the Document Library. Download Translink Third Party Works Procedure - PDF (1231kb)

In accordance with the Translink Third-Party Works Procedure please complete and submit the following forms to your allocated TPW engineer or email thirdpartyworks@translink.co.uk.


NI Railways Emergency Contact and Procedure

Use the following procedure and contact details for a genuine emergency affecting the railway, misuse of these contacts will be treated seriously as this affects the safety critical operation of the railway.

Download Emergency Procedure Contact Details form - Word (1974kb).


Your data, costs and liability

Your privacy is very important to us, and we take all necessary measures to ensure your personal information is properly protected and secured. This includes having appropriate technical and organisational arrangements to secure your information. For more information see the Translink Group Privacy Notice.

For information and requirements on indemnity, insurances and costs Download Translink Third Party Works Procedure - PDF (1231kb).