Coombes social values

Being a caring neighbour

Over the last 5 years, Coombes has made significant efforts to be a caring neighbour and improve social performance in our representation with Network Rail, from the planning stage to delivery.

Planning of Works

On contract award we firstly assess each site of work, environmental makeup, surrounding neighbourhood/s and general community composition. We carefully evaluate Network Rails remit before considering the practical methodology of workscope delivery in the safest manner (considering Varley Report and RSSB’s Rail Sustainable Development Principles).

This information is used in our assessment of the lineside neighbourhood and wider community to build up a plan of delivering the work in the quickest manner possible, with minimal impact. We endeavour that our interaction at each stage will have a positive effect to lineside neighbours, rather than a negative one by the following process:

Planning Stage Considerations

Overall importance is placed on daytime working for both Safety and Social values
Is neighbour disruption reduced by quicker delivery, using more possessions
Is the site situated in a cutting/embankment, with lineside local farmers or other neighbourhood communities who would benefit from the timber
Can the specification be delivered during weekday operations without weekend working, or is there a large amount of timber to be extracted, requiring possessions?

Consultation Neighbours / Stakeholder Interaction / Planning of Works

Letter drops are carried out prior to works commencing – researching into local sensitivities, especially vulnerable residents
Host workshops with lineside neighbours and stakeholders – interaction recorded with outstanding actions acted upon
Neighbours requests feeding into planning stage of works
Close liaison with environmental agencies/Local Authorities to secure necessary consents
Ecology and Tree Officer input into planning/mitigation
Consultations with adjacent businesses to work sites – compensation for potential disruptions
A Neighbourhood Manager post is created to ensure close liaison with the lineside neighbours and businesses, local to our site of works

Engagement of Neighbouring Communities

Donation of firewood, woodchip to neighbours and our Biomass to Local Energy Producers providing renewable Heating & Electricity
Seek to employ local labour/apprentices
Sponsorship of local football teams/youth events
Support of local charities

Noise & the Environment

Use of battery-operated tools and machinery considered first, used wherever possible, reducing noise and emissions
Coordinate travel with minimal vehicles taken to site.
Avoid Anti-Social Behaviour
Limit site working hours between 0800-1700
Maintain a clean worksite with good on-site behaviour – no shouting or swearing etc
Ensure all plant and vehicles are switched off when not in use
Wheel wash system is installed at all our sites (where necessary) to reduce impact on nearby streets

Plant & On-Track Plant

Our fleet of RRV’s and Forestry Machinery are all purchased from new and run for a maximum of 5 years for greater efficiency, reliability and noise reduction

Lineside Neighbour/Network Rail Responses:

The following table shows a small sample of positive interaction with lineside neighbours:

19/09/20

Local Resident

K. Webb

Walmer Station

Praise of polite, helpful & friendly staff involved 0-7m clearance

05/08/20

Local Resident

C. Holt

Ewell

Fantastic work from staff cutting back overgrown trees

30/01/20

Network Rail Route Control

Mr Hannah

Plumpton

COSS prevented suicide attempt and distress caused to train driver / disruption

4/12/19

Local Parish Church & Community

R. Lamey

St Pauls Wokingham

Amazing partnership with Church, Local Community and the professional staff

21/07/20

Local Resident

M. Perry

Eton Court, Staines

Professional, polite, courteous, highly skilled staff, excellent interaction and regards for environment

Community Relations Tracker

2020-2021

Raised 39

Closed out 39

2019-2020

Raised 52

Closed out 52

2018-2019

Raised 29

Closed out 29

Environmental Services

We are committed to helping our clients operate responsibly and in line with all relevant legislation. We’re proud to offer a range of services that support environmental and ecological sustainability.