Network Rail this week paid tribute to the efforts made across the rail industry by companies and individuals, to try and improve the environment in which we work, at the prestigious annual Network Rail Environment Awards.
The awards, held last Tuesday 20 January at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, were attended by 160 invited guests who saw Network Rail chief executive John Armitt present prizes.
"As major players in the construction industry, we realise at Network Rail that we have a responsibility to the environment we work in," said Armitt. "These awards recognise the efforts made by both Network Rail and our suppliers to create a positive effect on the environment."
This week's event was the fifth time that the awards have taken place and was aimed at rewarding individuals and organisations that have gone beyond their legal and contractual requirements in the field of environment.
Network Rail's Railway Estates contract manager, James Ashman, won the individual award for his work to ensure that waste contractors report waste statistics, something vitally important as Network Rail attempts to reduce its waste materials.
Birse Rail took the small-medium contractor category for its zero tolerance policy towards environmental issues, whilst Balfour Beatty Rail Projects won the large contractor award for their work to encourage subcontractors to develop environmental management systems.
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In the train operator category, First Group scooped the prize for their work to develop environmental training packages and their efforts to manage environmental issues at depots.
Other awards went to the West Anglia Route Modernisation project for its continuing good work as the contract nears completion, whilst Ecolube won the supplier award for their development of biodegradable hydraulic oil.
Network Rail's Southern region won the Network Rail business unit award for a combination of achievements including initiatives to reduce graffiti and work to protect bats.
Notes to editors:
Network Rail is the 'not for dividend' operator of Britain's rail network. Our objective is to provide safe, reliable and efficient rail infrastructure.
We own and maintain the tracks, signals, tunnels, bridges, viaducts, and level crossings. We also own the network's 2,500 stations, and manage the largest and the busiest. We provide access to the tracks for every passenger and freight train, timetable their journeys, and operate the signalling, which controls their movements.
Network Rail is a company limited by guarantee with members instead of shareholders. It is run as a commercial organisation, but any operating surplus is re-invested in the rail network.
Our core focus is the operation, maintenance and renewal of existing rail infrastructure, with the Strategic Rail Authority taking the lead on enhancement projects. We have set clear targets to improve performance and reduce costs, but safety is always at the forefront of our activities as we rebuild Britain's railway.
Details about the Company can be found on the Network Rail web site: www.networkrail.co.uk
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