Craig Nichols

Experience

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  Babcock International Group

  Aug 2001 - Jun 2010

   Lead many surveys for the IMT LNW Renewal Contract, using the traditional Hallade method- involving stringing of curves, theodolite straight, levelling, six-foot measurements, OHL Heights & Staggers, gauging of structures using laser sweep/platform gauge and obtaining track/site details. As part of a team I undertook and completed many types of Topographical Survey. These being detailed boundary to boundary surveys for the IMT LNW Renewal Contract and High Output sites, to working on the TASDA Project (Thru Alignment Survey Data Acquisition) in Northern Ireland. This was using the Leica GRP3000 Track Survey Trolley. I spent 14 months (April 2009-June 2010) involved with the track monitoring for the M74 Extension Project in Glasgow valued at circa £455m, checking for movement in the infrastructure using rail levels and void meters to check for dynamic twist, platform gauge, target monitoring using total station and OHLE Stanchion movement. Show less  Designed both Horizontal and Vertical schemes for the IMT LNW Plain Line Renewal Contract, using Hallade method of design for Curve/Transition realignment & calculations, Theodolite Straight design and Design route for track vertical design. Carried out Gauging analysis of structure/passing clearances for over bridges, under bridges, tunnels, and signals using Clearoute. Carried out structure/passing clearances & stepping distances for many platforms using Clearoute. Prepared Design packs for the Client for Form A Submittal and Form B Approval. Show less The main purpose of the role was to assist with the provision of technical support to the Principal Technical Officers ensuring technical aspects of contracted works comply with relevant group and line standards and safety legislation. Experiences and training included: Ensured all planning and technical aspects of work comply with group and line standards Competent at setting up a site, balancing lasers and excavating on renewals Proficient at controlling the installation of ballast, geotextiles and sleepers Experience of tamping and lining to group standard; controlling the quality of the line / level output in order to open routes at design line speed Excellent knowledge of Win ALC for Tampers – front offsets / geometry files created in the office or out on site in the tamper Marking out site geometry; cant markings, tops / bottoms of transitions, radii changes etc. Competent at surveying and professionally reporting the findings; this was carrying out post renewal quality checks to report sites against relevant group standards Qualified to level 3 at stressing of CWR Provided technical feedback to the site agent Passed out in the Hallade method of design Excellent knowledge and understanding of the AMP process Good familiarity with Critical Rail Temperatures Vast experience of the production of method statements for track renewals projects Certificated and experienced Controller of Site Safety Show less

  • Project Surveyor / Engineer

    Apr 2007 - Jun 2010

  • P-Way Track Designer / Engineer

    May 2004 - Apr 2007

  • Technical / Senior Technical Officer

    Aug 2001 - May 2004
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  AECOM (incorporating Davis Langdon, An AECOM Company)

  Oct 2010 - Dec 2014

  Working for the Manchester Planning Team within the Transportation Department for Rail, I was responsible for the co-ordination and day-to-day running of the team, of which there are 4 planners of varying level / experience; planning works within the LNW North, LNW South, London North Eastern, Scotland, Kent, Sussex, Wessex and Wales & Western regions. I also line managed two Site Supervisors and was responsible for their utilisation on a weekly basis.I had an input at every level of a project, from price build up / submission, access opportunity searches, third party / client liaison throughout the lifespan of the works, right through to implementation of the site works. As my background was surveying, I was still involved mainly at the weekends with team leading activities on site for any project, be it local or nationally. The main purpose of my role was to support the Project Managers within his/her designated span of control to ensure that all access requirements (railway track access including isolations and road closures) were researched, established, planned and requested in a timely manner, within project budgets, and in accordance with Company Procedures, Rules, Regulations and Safety Legislation requirements.Experiences and training included: Identifying the best form of access to suit the work content required; Submitting and securing worksites via the Possession Planning System; Submitting and securing isolation requirements; Submitting and securing line blocks via the GZAC Planning System; Submitting and securing road closures via local highway authority; Attending Network Rail planning meetings where necessary; Attending Network Rail whiteboard meetings where necessary to ensure works are compatible with other contractors; Liaising with Network Rail planners to ensure access requirements are protected and up to date; Ensuring all safety critical posts are fully resourced for site works. Show less  As part of the survey team I carried out Topographical and Gauging surveys for Network Rail at many sites across the country. These were detailed boundary to boundary surveys or structure surveys for line speed/clearance improvements for the National Gauging Project. I was a Team Leader working on the 85mile survey of the GNGE route on the East Coast from Peterborough to Doncaster for Network Rail, between January and May 2011. This was a detailed Topographical survey, installing PGM control markers every 200m throughout that were digitally levelled and tied into OS grid. The entire control network was traversed using Leica TS15 Total Stations. All structures were gauged using a Laser sweep or the Leica GRP3000 Track Survey Trolley, which was also used to survey the rails. Show less

  • Senior Engineer / Planner

    Apr 2011 - Dec 2014

  • Topographical Surveyor

    Oct 2010 - Apr 2011
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  J. Murphy & Sons Limited

  Dec 2014 - now

  Senior Possession Planner

  SSOW and Possession Planner as part of the Golborne Access Planning Team for the Rail Sector.