In our clients’
words.

We identified a need develop our business to generate additional organic growth. This included the need for organisational development in our team, management systems and processes to attain a Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence. We approached Harcon Solutions to support our development journey.

Harcon led the assurance process from inception to completion, this included management systems development and the subsequent approvals with Network Rails principal contractor licensing team. Furthermore, Peter project managed our first Network Rail contract at Toton in October 2024. The successful delivery and on site assurance audit of this project led to us attaining a Network Rail Full Trackside Principal Contractor Licence.

Peters’ expert knowledge was demonstrable in the successful delivery of the above mentioned project and his ability to translate the processes to our well established and experienced teams was excellent. If you were embarking on a similar journey we would have no hesitation in recommending Harcon Solutions

We have retained Harcon for the remainder of the year and the likelihood is this will continue long into the future as we continue our journey to grow organically and affirm our position as a first class all encompassing support to the Rail Sector.

For over three years, Harcon Solutions have been a key part of Eleusis Structural Engineering’s growth, helping us to develop our management systems and processes to meet RISQS and Network Rail standards. Peter, is our go to for all things CDM, safety and railway assurance, and has worked closely with us to strengthen our safety culture, infrastructure, and management systems, giving us real confidence when working in high risk environments.

Harcon’s expertise has been key in helping us win and deliver major contracts with clients like Amey PLC, Balfour Beatty Vinci, HS2, AMCOGIFFEN, and the Ardmore Group across rail, highways, and complex construction. From CDM compliance and work package planning to long term safety strategy, Harcon’s advice keeps us compliant, competitive, and future ready, including our progress towards ISO 45001, 9001 and 14001 accreditations.

In short, Harcon Solutions have given us peace of mind, resilience, and credibility to perform. They’re more than just consultants, they’re a strategic partner, helping us set the standards and lay the foundations for our continued success.

We contacted Peter to assist us with achieving our RISQS accreditation after a recommendation from an industry colleague. From our initial meeting Peter took control of the process and gave us total confidence that he would be able to assist us in achieving the accreditation. He ‘held our hand’ all the way through to the audit and was always on hand to answer any queries and explain the process. We would highly recommend Peter’s services and as business we will continue to use Harcon Solutions in going forward.

Rail Waiting Structures (RWS) are a platform passenger shelter manufacturer and installer, most of our work is 1.25m off the platform edge and classed as a High Street Environment. However, a recent project for TfW Rail at Lydney station threw up a few challenges. We needed to demolish the existing stone platform shelter which had a concrete beam roof. The roof over sailed the platform to just 1m off the platform edge. This now required possession planning, safe work planning and the provision of safety critical resource (COSS) to control of the works, we did not have any experience in this area.

Thankfully, Harcon Solutions were recommended to us by a couple of people at the RAIL LIVE event back in 2023. We made contact with Harcon, and from there, everything was organised and made easy for us and our specialist Demolition Contractor (B&B Industrial Dismantling). The planning and communications were excellent, and the night of the possession went without any troubles. Should we need to have similar possession management of any part of a project in the future, I will not hesitate to contact Harcon Solutions.

We originally approached Harcon Solutions in 2021 with a view to aiding us with attaining a Network Rail Principal Contractor licence. The business grew in a different direction, but we were impressed with Peter’s professionalism and nature that we decided it would be of great benefit to continue to use Harcon’s services to support us with all matters HSQE, from the development and implementation of management systems, RISQS auditing and general advice. Peter is always available on the end of the phone whenever we need assurance on a matter that we are unsure of.

We at GEE would not hesitate to recommend the services of Harcon Solutions to others. Thank you Peter and the rest of the Harcon team. Here’s to many more years of working together.

Project overview
Harcon Solutions supported Track Civil Engineering Solutions throughout our Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence accreditation process. Their role included providing specialist advice, reviewing our management systems and assurance arrangements, identifying areas for improvement, and helping us prepare the documentation and evidence required to demonstrate compliance.

Why TCES appointed Harcon Solutions
We appointed Harcon Solutions because of Peter’s strong understanding of the rail industry, Principal Contractor requirements and engineering assurance. Their practical and proportionate approach differentiated them from others, as the advice was tailored to the size, structure and operational requirements of our business rather than being a generic compliance exercise.

Support provided
Peter and the Harcon Solutions team provided a highly professional service throughout the process. They demonstrated excellent technical competence, communicated requirements clearly and were consistently responsive when support was needed. They worked collaboratively with our management team and provided constructive guidance that was both practical and easy to implement.

Value and outcome
Harcon Solutions helped strengthen our internal governance, engineering assurance and Principal Contractor management arrangements. Their involvement allowed us to identify and close gaps efficiently, improve the quality of our procedures and supporting evidence, and approach the PCL accreditation process with greater confidence. Their practical solutions also helped avoid unnecessary complexity, cost and delay.

With Harcon Solutions’ support, TCES was successfully guided through the Principal Contractor Licence accreditation process and developed a stronger, more robust management and assurance framework. The improvements made during the process will continue to benefit the business as we expand our rail delivery capabilities and take on larger and more complex projects.

Client recommendation
I would have no hesitation in recommending Peter and Harcon Solutions to other organisations seeking support with rail assurance, compliance or Principal Contractor Licence accreditation. Their professionalism, industry knowledge and commitment to achieving the right outcome were excellent, and we would be pleased to work with them again.

Project overview
I consulted Harcon Solutions to provide a gap analysis and development of management systems at UK Rail Engineering (UKRE) to pass its Principal Contractor Licence audit. UKRE is a self delivering subcontractor, operating in the rail and civil engineering sectors across the UK.

Why UKRE appointed Harcon Solutions
We recognised that there was a ceiling to our knowledge to help us reach what was required to be successful in our PCL audit. Upon speaking to Peter, I was confident that he had the deep expertise and experience required to support us, and that was proven throughout the process.

Working with Harcon Solutions
We found Peter to be exceptional in the way he supported UKRE. He took his time to understand the organisation and was clear and concise in his requests for information from the wider team. His approach made the team feel comfortable and at ease from the outset, which meant the process was very collaborative throughout, and he was quick to respond to any queries and concerns we had.

Value and outcome
Within a short period of time, Peter and the team worked to improve the internal governance and assurance at UKRE by asking the right questions and providing easily applicable, reasonable solutions where required. If we hadn’t brought Peter and the team into this initiative, we would have spent considerably more time, and consequent cost, on achieving the same goal.

UKRE passed its PCL MSA audit, enabling it to become a PCL provisional holder much more efficiently, in all facets of the process, than if Harcon had not been involved.

Client recommendation
I would absolutely recommend Harcon. Peter and the team showed outstanding professionalism, competence and collaboration throughout the process, giving us confidence in our ways of working and ultimately supporting us to successfully reach the end goal. Peter will be a core part of the UKRE team going forward, supporting on all future UKRE PCL sites.

We engaged Harcon Solutions to provide specialist support and guidance in connection with the construction of the new Beedles Lake Padel courts, located in close proximity to the railway line.

Given our limited previous experience of working with Network Rail on projects of this scale, we recognised the importance of appointing an experienced specialist to assist us in understanding and complying with Network Rail’s technical requirements and associated procedures. Harcon Solutions was therefore appointed to support us throughout this process.

Peter Harries provided invaluable assistance, guiding us through the relevant technical requirements and helping us navigate the various challenges associated with undertaking construction works adjacent to the railway. His knowledge, professionalism and practical approach ensured that the process progressed smoothly and efficiently.

Throughout our engagement, we felt fully supported, by Harcon with Peter providing clear guidance and reassurance at each stage. His involvement was instrumental in helping us manage the technical complexities of the project and meet the requirements imposed by Network Rail.

Overall, our experience of working with Harcon Solutions was extremely positive. The engagement was highly successful, and we were very pleased with the level of service, expertise and support provided throughout the project.