Gradual resumption of work in densely populated areas
As we mentioned in a previous news item,maintenance of the railway network is essential for its operation and the smooth flow of goods and people. Even when traffic is significantly reduced, maintaining track geometry, reinforcing ballast pads, replacing half-fittings on points, incorporating points, etc. are examples of work that is essential to keeping the network in good condition. Failure to carry out this work would result in the implementation of temporary speed restrictions, which are very disruptive at present and will continue to be so when traffic resumes in the coming weeks.
‘The health and safety of all our employees is our top priority.’ This motto, which we already apply on all our sites, is even more relevant in this period of pandemic. Since the start of lockdown, all ETF teams have been working together to define and implement preventive measures. New working methods, complying with protective measures, have been devised and developed. These enable us to carry out emergency work while taking into account all the constraints associated with COVID-19.
This resumption of activity has been the subject of extensive preparation, applying the recommendations of the OPPBTP (French Professional Organisation for Prevention in the Construction Industry), reinforced by around fifty specific instructions. The specific operating procedures and general ETF measures have been shared with the teams and staff representatives. Feedback is collected each week from all project stakeholders (teams, staff representatives, SNCF customer) to enable us to continuously improve all our operating procedures.
The Île-de-France rail network is a key public service provider. In this area, which has been particularly affected by Covid-19, it is essential to enable users, especially healthcare workers, to travel safely.
After a four-week shutdown, the first work train ran on the RER C line during the night of 9 to 10 April. This train consisted of a locomotive at the front, seven ballast tamping machines, one tamping machine, one levelling/stabilising machine and a locomotive at the rear.
