Ramsgate depot is the second major new state-of-the-art traincare facility, which has been designed and built in association with the Integrated Kent Franchise Project. It has also been built by the depco consortium, Fitzpatrick was the principal contractor.

Ramsgate depot provides a modern five-road light maintenance facility, complete with bogie drop, trainwash, CET and stabling facilities for rolling stock operating on the Southeastern mainline services. Overnight stabling and servicing facilities is also provided for some of the Hitachi 395 ‘bullet train’ fleet.

Works include the construction of the 8000m2, five-road maintenance shed, which is capable of accommodating thirty-six units. It also incorporates two No. four-car heavy lift roads, one of which includes the bogie and equipment drop facility. The remaining roads are located within a ‘swimming pool’ type area with the track on stools to facilitate under-train inspection and maintenance work. Also completed is the attached three-storey office, stores and workshop, the fan of seven new sidings, which will provide for CET, tanking and sanding operations. Also to be constructed within the sidings is the six-car train wash.

Fitzpatrick, as the principal contractor, faced and overcame various challenges and incorporated many cost-saving schemes, including:

Challenges

• Time constraints and phasing of the works to ensure continued working of the existing depot
• Diversion of Ramsgate drinking water ring main, which ran under the proposed new facility, and the repair of the Network Rail culvert running under the proposed new stabling area
• The depot is sited above a major drinking-water aquifer and thus the works are subject to tight environmental restrictions and controls
• Constructing a 10,000m3 facility within the boundary of a live operational depot

Innovation & value engineering solutions

• Revised foundation design saved time and money
• Implementation of a web-based document and communication system for all stakeholders facilitating speedy dissemination and sharing of information and design
• Open plan site office for contractors, client and stakeholders, providing the facility for rapid communication and resolution of issues
• Use of above-ground attenuation tanks to minimise excavation within the aquifer and facilitate ease of future inspection and maintenance
• Use of pre-cast concrete slabs in the construction of the ‘swimming pool’ area facilitated an efficient and speedy construction solution.