scope:

This Standard covers all Earthworks within the Network Rail boundary, and where it is appropriate to do so, slopes outside the boundary that may affect Network Rail infrastructure. This Standard applies to the following:

1. Network Rail owned or managed1 Earthworks equal to or greater than 3 metres high - this includes Earthworks lying above a Retaining Wall where the Earthwork component is greater than or equal to 3 metres.

2. Network Rail owned or managed1 Earthworks (irrespective of their height) whose failure could pose an unacceptable risk to the safe operation or performance of railway infrastructure, for example, those Earthworks which have a history of instability, or are at risk of flooding or water action.

3. Outside Party Slopes (irrespective of their height) whose failure could pose an unacceptable risk to the safe operation or performance of railway infrastructure (section 6.4 only applies). If application of this Standard is not appropriate to such slopes then a suitable bespoke system should be adopted to manage the risk.

4. Earthworks (irrespective of their height) that lie above the portal of a railway tunnel.

5. Approach Embankments to an overline Bridge that are equal to or greater than 3 metres high, except those owned by a Highway Authority, Roads Authority or other competent authority.

6. Nailed or reinforced soil structures whose face angle is less than or equal to 70 degrees to the horizontal.

7. Any Embankment that also acts as a Coastal, Estuarine or River Defence, irrespective of its height.

The requirements of this Standard need not be applied to Earthworks that do not meet any of the above criteria. This Standard does not apply to:

1. Track support systems.

2. The management of vegetation - other than the factors affecting slope stability: the requirements for managing vegetation are defined in NR/L2/TRK/5201: Management of lineside vegetation.

3. The management of Earthworks drainage - other than the factors affecting slope stability: the requirements for managing the drainage asset are defined in NR/L3/CIV/005: Railway Drainage Systems Manual.

4. The management of nailed or reinforced soil structures steeper than 70 degrees, retaining walls and gabion walls. The management of such structures is defined in NR/L1/CIV/032: The Management of Structures.

5. The management of Coastal, Estuarine or River Defence works that are not also Embankments. The management of such works is defined in NR/L1/CIV/032: The Management of Structures. This Standard does not cover:

1. Emergency evacuation procedures.

2. Operational health and safety requirements but the safety of site operatives shall be taken into account when planning Examinations, Interventions and Mitigations. In addition the provision of safe access for future maintenance and Examination activities shall be considered during the design and construction of Intervention and Mitigation works.

3. The organisational or commercial responsibilities for delivering the requirements of this Standard.

4. The Examination of an Earthwork: this is covered by NR/L3/CIV/065: Examination of Earthworks.

Purpose

The purpose of this Standard is to define the requirements for managing Earthworks, so that when meeting these requirements there would be no unacceptable risk to the safe operation or performance of rail infrastructure.

This Standard contains requirements supplementary to those given in NR/L1/CIV/032: The Management of Structures.