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ADVERTORIAL
GeoAccess is transforming the inspection and surveying of earthworks. Managing Director Mark Coleman explains more on the eve of the organisation’s 10th birthday
Leading the way in asset management
T
he statistics are fascinating. The latest earthwork season has recently gotten underway with GeoAccess planning to examine over 20,000 earthwork assets, as well as clearing upwards of 1.6 million m2 of vegetation across Network Rail’s Western, Wales and Southern regions. “They are pretty impressive figures, but it is a reflection on the important role we have to play in the rail industry,” said Managing Director Mark Coleman. “As we have grown, so have our processes, ensuring we’ve got the appropriate app technology, as well as the best ways of working to keep people safe and connected. “Overall though, the field we work in is phenomenal, getting to climb on ropes, flying drones and doing it all in some beautiful places in some of the best parts of the country. If that isn’t enough, the work we do helps ensure people and goods can safely travel along the rail network, ensuring that despite the
ageing infrastructure and climate change, the railway remains in peak condition.” GeoAccess celebrates its 10th birthday next year. Set up by engineers Mark Coleman and David Frost (Operations Director) to address the need for inspections on difficult access sites in the rail sector, the business utilises its highly experienced geotechnical and structural engineers coupled with unmanned aerial vehicles, remotely operated vehicles, rope access and confined space techniques. “It’s already been some journey and we’ve got lots more to come and as we’re maturing, we’re getting much more of a vision of where we want to go, building on what we initially set out to do, while at the same time being innovative as well,” said Mark. “Being open to suggestion and collaboration is an important part of our success. Doing that has created some strong relationships which have opened even more doors for us.
The work we do helps ensure people and goods can safely travel along the rail network
December 2023
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