8 December 2017: Keltbray Aspire, which is part of Keltbray Group and provides electrification services on the rail infrastructure, has invested more than £3 million on six mobile elevating work platform (MEWPs) road rail vehicles for use in the installation of overhead line electrification on the UK’s rail infrastructure.

These unique concept machines have been developed by Keltbray in collaboration with SRS Sjölanders AB in Sweden and are a UK-first. In addition to the 12-metre reach, 500-kilo mobile basket that can rotate 180 degrees, each MEWP has also been equipped with a crane that can lift up to 330 kilos at 12 metre reach. This eliminates the need for outriggers.

In the past, our overhead line electrification installers would lift some small part steelwork manually in conjunction with the mobile platform or by an additional machine for larger and heavier steelwork. The development and inclusion of the crane now completely removes manual handling from the installation process and offers cost reductions by removing the need for a second lifting machine, which would otherwise be required under present day installation methods.

“The new machines also have the ability to transport installers, support staff and materials to site on the rear of the machine once on the track. This offers greater efficiency in terms of the transportation of materials and staff. It also reduces the risk of slips, trips and falls significantly.

“The idea of adding the crane was developed when we became aware of the many unfortunate industry-wide incidents that involve trapped or crushed limbs. The addition of the crane will remove this risk and makes the installation process safer, easy and more efficient,” explained Head of Plant for Keltbray Electrification Plant, Dave Wright.

The new MEWPs have been developed on the back of Keltbray’s experience in the overhead line electrification field and the company’s continued drive to make the industry safer and more efficient. It boosts Keltbray’s existing electrification road-rail fleet which now counts 41 vehicles and follows on from last year’s launch of the award-winning Les Blake road/rail SRS/ZECK wiring unit (also an industry first), which halves installation times compared to using traditional wiring methods.

“These pioneering machines will help us meet the growing demand for Keltbray’s rail services and long-term pipeline of work. Our commitment to innovate around key areas of safety and productivity allow us to continue to develop our rail services capabilities,” concluded Dave.

Arrival of the new machines to the UK was recently marked with a ceremony at Keltbray’s new rail plant and power distribution depot in Dunchurch in Warwickshire, where the MEWPs are currently awaiting certification by Network Rail for use on electrification projects by December 2017.

ENDS

High resolution images of the new vehicles are available here: New Keltbray MEWPs

For more information, please contact Keltbray’s head of communications, Marit Meyer-Bell, on tel. 0786 765 3392 or by email to [email protected]

Keltbray Group
Keltbray Group is a UK leading specialist business, which offers engineering, construction, demolition, decommissioning, remediation, rail, environmental services and reinforced concrete frame solutions. The company dates back to 1976, employs more than 1,500 people, and is a key player in developing and maintaining Britain’s built environment. Keltbray provides services to meet the needs of diverse and complex projects, and its well qualified people take pride in delivering projects safely and efficiently, on time and to budget, and with care for the environment and our communities. Keltbray has contributed to a range of high profile construction projects including The Shard, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium, St Pancras International, Crossrail, Earls Court and Battersea Power Station.