Planning Engineer (Rail Access and Operations Planner)

Mission

The Track Access Planner is responsible for the planning, coordination, deconfliction and control of all track access requirements for MMSP.

The role ensures that construction activities, testing and commissioning works, rail vehicle movements, possessions, isolations, worksite access and interface activities are planned and coordinated safely in accordance with the Construction Commissioning Rail Rule Book (CCRRB), project requirements and applicable safety standards.

The Track Access Planner works under the Construction Railway Operations (CRO) umbrella and provides the link between construction teams, testing and commissioning teams, rail operations, contractors and authorised persons to ensure access to the railway is safely planned, efficiently used and properly controlled.

Main Responsibilities

Track Access Planning

· Develop, maintain, and control the MMSP Track Access Plan.

· Plan and coordinate track access, possession and worksite arrangements for construction railway activities.

· Review all track access requests to confirm scope, location, duration, interface risks, protection requirements and operational impact.

· Ensure access requests are planned in accordance with the CCRRB, CRO procedures and project safety requirements.

· Prepare short-term, medium-term and long-term track access plans to support construction, testing and commissioning milestones.

· Coordinate access requirements for Depot, Mainline, stations and associated railway work areas.

· Maintain visibility of all planned, approved, cancelled and completed access activities.

Worksite Coordination

· Plan and coordinate possessions, engineering access windows, isolations and restricted access areas.

· Deconflict multiple contractors and work parties requiring access to the same or adjacent railway areas.

· Ensure worksite boundaries, access points, protection arrangements and rail movement restrictions are clearly defined.

· Coordinate with PTW, Co-Activity PTW and worksite planning processes to ensure activities are safely integrated.

· Support the preparation of possession plans, access diagrams, lookahead schedules and daily access summaries.

· Identify clashes between construction works, testing activities, and rail vehicle movements.

· Escalate unresolved access conflicts to the Construction Railway Operations Manager.

Construction Railway Operations Interface

· Coordinate with the Construction Railway Operations Manager, Rail Movement Controller, Permit to Work Manager, Worksite Safety Supervisors, Works Train Managers, Work Party Supervisors and other authorised persons.

· Ensure track access arrangements support safe rail vehicle movements and construction railway operations.

· Liaise with Sub System Managers, Testing and Commissioning, Safety and Planning teams.

· Review proposed works that may affect rail operations, access routes, energised areas, vehicle movements or adjacent worksites.

· Support daily and weekly access planning meetings.

· Communicate approved access arrangements to relevant stakeholders in a clear and timely manner.

Programme and Interface Management

· Align track access planning with the project programme, commissioning strategy and operational readiness requirements.

· Work with project planners to integrate access constraints into lookahead schedules and delivery plans.

· Identify programme risks caused by limited access availability, conflicting works or incomplete access information.

· Support optimisation of access windows to maximise productivity and reduce disruption.

· Track access performance, cancelled access, unused access and recurring planning issues.

· Provide updates, reports and dashboards to management where required.

Compliance and Assurance

· Monitor compliance with the CCRRB, track access procedures, PTW requirements and project safety standards.

· Ensure track access records, approvals, changes and communications are properly maintained.

· Support audits, inspections and reviews relating to access planning and worksite control.

· Assist with investigations into access-related incidents, breaches, near misses and planning failures.

· Implement lessons learned and continuous improvement actions.

· Promote safe, disciplined and controlled access to the construction railway environment.

Profile

· Degree, diploma or recognised qualification in Engineering, Construction Management, Railway Operations, Planning or a related discipline.

· Experience in railway construction, infrastructure, operations, testing and commissioning or another safety-critical environment.

· Experience in track access planning, possession planning, worksite coordination or permit/access control.

· Understanding of safe systems of work, railway access control, possession management and construction interface risks.

· Ability to coordinate multiple contractors and concurrent work activities.

· Strong planning, organisation and communication skills.

· Ability to read and understand construction programmes, access plans, drawings and worksite information.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word and Outlook.

· Strong written and verbal English communication skills.