Rikki Morrow, Managing Director at SEP Rail Services, introduces SEP Drainage, a new venture to enhance in-house drainage capabilities and better serve clients across multiple sectors.
Here, he writes to the industry discussing his focuses for this company.
Over recent years, we have experienced a noticeable increase in drainage-related projects, especially emergency remediation works, where our teams are often required to mobilise within hours across the country.
While the optimist in me hopes for a calmer winter, past experience has proven that erring on the side of caution and preparing is the most sensible route to take. Often, our teams at SEP Rail Services have worked alongside external drainage service providers to meet project demands. While these collaborations have been mostly positive, the advantages of bringing these capabilities in-house have become too significant to ignore.
It’s therefore with great excitement that we are introducing SEP Drainage, a multi-sector, multi-disciplinary specialist drainage service provider, supported by the full force of six sister organisations within the SEP Rail Group.
Covering railways, highways, residential, waterways, industrial, environmental, and domestic sectors, SEP Drainage provides an all-in-one solution. Our services include survey and investigation capabilities, cleaning and maintenance, repairs, remediation, and renewal. We also offer confined space entry, including emergency arrangements and rescue.
SEP Drainage is set to hit the ground running with substantial investments in both equipment and personnel, the most significant portion directed towards the purchase of multiple HGV Jetvac and recycling units. These units are fully equipped to both vacuum and jet, with a maximum capacity of 14,000 litres. Once the waste is collected, the units separate the water and debris. The water is siphoned off and sanitised, while the physical waste is collected, compacted, and stored for disposal. Not only does this recycle water, but it also removes moisture content from the waste, reducing the amount left to dispose of. This means the same water can be reused to clear more debris throughout the entire day, eliminating the need to leave the site to empty and refill – reducing delays and strain on our teams.
These capabilities alone make this investment immensely valuable to clients. Moreover, when considering their capacity to act as standalone ‘motherships’, the benefits truly begin to unfold. Each unit can service culverts and drainage entry points up to 300 meters away. On rail projects, access points for vehicles of this size are often far from the culvert entry point. Not only do these units offer extended range, but they also support smaller auxiliary vehicles, reducing the need to bring additional equipment on site. And if additional equipment is required, we now have it at our disposal, ready to service any type of terrain.
To support this venture, SEP Drainage is hiring multiple positions across North West England, alongside a significant upskilling effort for teams at SEP Rail Services.
Experience has taught us the importance of maintaining a consistent rotation of properly trained and experienced staff. In the past, projects have been delayed due to external staff being expected to operate under unfamiliar circumstances. While upskilling is an essential part of our strategy, we strive to avoid situations where a team member is expected to lead on tasks outside their usual expertise.
Work on the ground is tough; often, individuals are working in unfavourable weather and, during emergency works, unsociable hours. Protecting projects against delays means investing in a team that not only has the numbers to provide proper support but also the enthusiasm and commitment required. While investing in equipment is crucial, the real difference comes from the attitude of our team members at SEP Rail Services. Past clients attest to the strong camaraderie and commitment of our team – and this is what will support the expansion of our one-stop-shop provision.
Now, the same level of service experienced across the SEP Rail Group will be delivered through a greatly expanded drainage capability. Looking back to last year, these new in-house capabilities could have saved significant time, man-hours, and costs for our clients. As we prepare for this year, that saving becomes a reality.
You can view the full list of the capabilities here.
For more information about SEP’s services, please get in touch: rikki.morrow@seprail.co.uk
