scope:

This specification applies to all Network Rail owned or managed Earthworks, Shared or Outside Party Earthworks that have been assigned Structure Category D in accordance with RT/CE/P/032. This specification also applies to those appointed by Network Rail to be responsible for the management of such Earthworks.

Guidance on the assignment of an individual structure to Structure Category D is included in Appendix B. The word "Earthwork" in this specification means any Earthwork that has been assigned Structure Category D.

Only those Earthworks that meet the criteria within the following list shall be managed in accordance with this specification:

• All Earthworks equal or greater than 3 metres in height owned in whole or in part by Network Rail whose failure could affect the safety of train operations. In the case of Natural Slopes, it only applies to those locations where there is a known history of instability that could affect the safety of train operations.

• known sites of instability in Earthworks owned in whole or part by Network Rail below 3 metres in height;

• Irrespective of height, Earthworks particularly subject to Scour and flooding;

• as far as is reasonably practicable and lawful, Earthworks owned or controlled by an Outside Party where Slope Failure could affect the safety of train operations;

• approach Embankments to an overline Bridge that is over 3m in height, except where they are owned by a highways authority or other competent examining authority.

For Cuttings, relative levels shall be taken from the lowest cess level to crest of Cutting. For Embankments, relative levels shall be taken from top of sleeper to Embankment toe (or invert in adjoining drainage ditch). Though Embankment relative levels includes track ballast, track ballast, blanketing, formation and geosynthetics directly associated with track performance and capping layers are excluded from the scope of this document as they form part of the track system.

Health and safety requirements applicable to operational safety are not within the scope of this Specification.

This Specification does not define the organisational and commercial responsibilities for delivering the requirements of the Specification.

Purpose

The purpose of this Specification is to define the requirements for the management of Earthworks on Network Rail's infrastructure such that there is no unacceptable risk to safety as a result of their condition or use.

This Specification contains requirements supplementary to Network Rail Procedure RT/CE/P/032 - "Managing Existing Structures".