Great Western railway electrification, UK: collectively delivering a sustainability strategy

Through collaborative working, staff engagement, grassroots input, culture change and leadership support, the Greater West Programme rose to the challenge of ‘delivering environmental benefits and sustainable outcomes to the highest industry standard’, with the strong belief that ‘environmental protection and sustainable development are everyone’s business’. The programme developed and implemented initiatives that are leading the way in the industry, such as biodiversity no net loss based on good practice principles of biodiversity offsetting. The programme introduced sustainable construction solutions on its sites such as solar energy production as an alternative to diesel generators. It also encouraged innovative construction methods to minimise import of aggregates and associated lorry movements, and to maximise their reuse at demobilisation stage. The programme engaged with thousands of lineside neighbours and local stakeholders to minimise the impact of the works and leave a long-lasting legacy by funding biodiversity projects, taking part in volunteering, fundraising for local charities and inspiring the next generation to consider engineering within the rail industry as a career path.