Private operator Transport UK—the UK’s biggest provider of rail replacement services— adopts Causeway one.network to reduce manual workflows, respond faster to network disruptions, and improve safety for drivers and passengers.
Transport UK Rail Replacement is now using Causeway one.network 's Route Manager tool to digitise how it plans, checks, and communicates diversion routes across its rail replacement network.
Previously, the team relied on a manual, time-consuming process. When a closure affected a rail replacement route, planners created pace notes using Google Maps screenshots and hand-drawn arrows, then printed and handed to drivers. Each route assessment could take up to an hour, and responding to unplanned network disruptions was difficult and slow.
With more than 200 routes now digitised in Causeway one.network, the team can monitor live network conditions from a single interactive map, set up targeted alerts, and respond instantly when closures arise.
"Before Causeway one.network, it could take me an hour to assess a single route for disruptions.," said Conrad Bainbridge, Assistant Operator at Transport UK. "Now, I can review six in that same time, as well as receive email updates about upcoming closures and events. It’s made a huge difference, especially when responding to emergencies."
This responsiveness is especially valuable for during last-minute “embargoes”—when train services are unexpectedly disrupted and new rail replacement routes are urgently required to keep passengers moving. The result is safer, clearer pace notes for drivers and fewer surprises along the way.
From a team operations perspective, the benefits have been equally transformational. According to Kirk Russell, GTR Operations Manager at Transport UK, "Building our rail replacement routes in the platform has freed up a considerable amount of time allowing less experienced members of the team to accurately check for roadwork clashes with our live operations."
Previously, assessing a single route could take up to an hour. Now, the team can check up to six routes in the same time in Causeway one.network.
Kirk Russell, GTR Operations Manager, Transport UK
He added, "The clash board's automated alerts have also proven effective in early identification and diversion route planning—helping us to keep Govia Thameslink rail replacement passengers moving."
David Grossé, Business Development Manager at Causeway Technologies, summed it up: “This is a great example of a forward-thinking operator taking a manual, time-intensive process and transforming it into something scalable, digital and far more efficient. By adopting Causeway one.network, the team at Transport UK has modernised how they plan and manage their rail replacement routes, and, importantly, the ability to keep drivers and passengers safer on the road.”
The team at Transport UK expects to:
- Reduce route assessment time by up to six times
- Speed up their emergency response when unplanned closures disrupt services
- Improve driver safety by avoiding unsafe diversions and road restrictions
- Strengthen future rail franchise bids with proven planning capability
As the rail industry evolves, this new set-up not only improves day-to-day operations, it also strengthens Transport UK’s position when bidding for future contracts by demonstrating its ability to deliver a faster, safer and more responsive service—even under pressure.
If you’d like to explore how Causeway one.network's Route Manager tool can help your team respond faster and plan with confidence, get in touch with us today.
