At a glance

Mainmark UK completed ground improvement work at Tottenham Hale Station in London, ensuring the stability of new platforms by strengthening the ground beneath them. The work was necessary due to concerns about the deterioration of existing precast concrete platforms, which were replaced with lower-maintenance glass-reinforced polymer platforms. This project is part of a broader station upgrade and demonstrates Mainmark's expertise in supporting rail infrastructure projects, aligning with Network Rail's investment programme to modernise the rail network.

Critical ground improvement works at one of London’s busiest transport interchanges were completed over a bank holiday weekend recently, with specialist ground engineering Mainmark UK helping to keep the Tottenham Hale Station refurbishment project on track. The company delivered complex ground improvement supporting refurbishments at the station, which serves National Rail’s Greater Anglia and Stansted Express services alongside the London Underground’s Victoria line.

There were concerns that the station’s Platforms 3 and 4, made of precast concrete, had begun to deteriorate and could become unsafe. The supporting structures beneath the precast concrete platforms had deteriorated over time, raising concerns about long-term stability. While temporary supports had previously been installed to prevent potential collapse, it was decided that the old platforms would be replaced with new, lower-maintenance glass-reinforced polymer (GRP) platforms. But to ensure the ground could safely support the platforms, ground conditions beneath 77 new foundation locations needed strengthening.

Working for CML, a Tier One Principal Contractor for Network Rail and other infrastructure clients, Mainmark used its Teretek® engineered resin injection solution to rapidly strengthen the existing ground, avoiding excavation, minimising disruption to the wider construction programme and completing the works in just three shifts.

David Hedley, Infrastructure Lead at Mainmark UK, said: “The successful delivery at Tottenham Hale Station demonstrates how engineered resin injection can deliver precise, measurable ground improvement under extreme time and environmental constraints, supporting modern rail upgrades without compromising programme or performance.”

The existing ground conditions presented several engineering challenges, including variable-made ground and granular soils requiring densification. Mainmark’s solution delivered targeted ground improvement to a depth of two metres beneath each foundation using precision resin injection through small-diameter access points, eliminating the need for excavation and minimising disruption to the wider construction programme.

Raj Sharma, Contracts Manager at CML said: “Mainmark UK demonstrated a high level of technical expertise and professionalism during the platform foundation works at Tottenham Hale Station. Their ability to deliver safely, on programme, and with minimal disruption under challenging conditions was critical to the project’s success. We would gladly engage Mainmark UK on future works.”

The project, worth more than £150,000, was part of a wider station upgrade, and all works had to be completed within tightly controlled rail possession windows, with multiple contractors operating simultaneously across the site.

The successful delivery demonstrates the type of specialist ground engineering expertise Mainmark will bring to future rail projects, including work delivered through the recently awarded Balfour Beatty CP7 Framework. The company will support the delivery of key rail infrastructure works across Network Rail’s latest five-year investment programme. The programme focuses on maintaining, renewing and modernising the rail network to deliver a safer, more reliable and more sustainable railway. Investment priorities during CP7 include infrastructure maintenance and renewals, digital signalling and technology, safety improvements, and initiatives to improve both freight and passenger performance across the network. As part of the framework, contractors will deliver a broad range of works aligned with Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plan, including low-complexity emergency callouts, planned preventative maintenance and small-scale civil engineering schemes.

Alongside this, Mainmark UK recently announced the appointment of Ian Thornhill as General Manager, marking a key step in the company’s strategy to expand its presence across the UK and Ireland and strengthen its position in the infrastructure sector. Ian brings more than 15 years of experience in infrastructure and engineering services, with a strong background spanning rail, highways and broader infrastructure projects.

Established in the UK in 2016, Mainmark Ground Engineering (UK) Ltd is a subsidiary of the Mainmark group of companies.

Editorial insight

Critical infrastructure work at Tottenham Hale Station has highlighted the increasingly technical demands placed on contractors working within the UK’s busiest transport hubs. The use of engineered resin injection to stabilise platform foundations during a tightly scheduled refurbishment reflects the sector’s growing emphasis on rapid, low-disruption solutions, particularly where operational continuity is essential.

For Network Rail and its contractors, the ability to deliver complex engineering works within limited possession windows is a recurring challenge, especially as the CP7 investment period ramps up across the country. Mainmark’s involvement at Tottenham Hale, and its recent appointment to the Balfour Beatty CP7 Framework, positions the company to play a greater role in meeting the sector’s focus on safety, reliability and modernisation over the coming years.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Innovation

Technological Innovations in UK Rail Infrastructure

Mainmark UK's application of Teretek® engineered resin injection at Tottenham Hale Station represents a technological advancement in ground engineering. This story examines the role of such technologies in modernising the UK's rail infrastructure, focusing on efficiency and reduced disruption during construction.

Target audience technology and innovation outlets Story potential 8/10 Economic impact

Impact of Network Rail’s CP7 Framework on Infrastructure Firms

Mainmark UK's involvement in the CP7 framework marks a significant opportunity for infrastructure firms participating in Network Rail's latest five-year investment programme. The article would explore how such frameworks offer economic opportunities for engineering companies and influence the UK's rail infrastructure landscape.

Target audience business and economic publications Story potential 6/10