Civil Engineering and Construction

Our Services

What we do

Our flexibility and experience allow us to handle a wide range of projects, and with the ability to design and self-deliver projects, we ensure our solutions fit our client's needs.

Bat Surveys

Ensure compliance with environmental regulations by conducting bat surveys with our experienced team. Our surveys are conducted to the highest standards, providing reliable and accurate data. Learn more about our bat surveys and how we can help you protect these important species.
Bat Surveys

Vegetation Management

Our Vegetation Management teams, consisting of highly skilled IRATA rope access and NPTC-qualified arborists, are supported by an extensive fleet of machinery, including RRVs and specialist forestry machinery. This allows us to tackle even the most challenging and complex projects with confidence.
Vegetation Management

Buildings and Structures

Our team has extensive expertise in design and project management. We deliver strategic and reactive maintenance and refurbishment of masonry and metallic assets, including bridges, tunnels, culverts, platforms, depots, lineside buildings and related ancillary works.
Buildings and Structures

Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA)

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) is a survey that is typically undertaken prior to the development of a site. The aim of the PEA is to collect data on the existing site ecology, identify any protected species present, and assess the potential impact of the proposed development.
Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA)

Timber Harvesting and Marketing

We provide sustainable timber harvesting and marketing services to a wide range of clients throughout Southern and Central England, including Forestry England and small estate owners and managers.
Timber Harvesting and Marketing

On-Track Plant (OTP) Hire

Our fleet of modern On-Track Plant, trailers and attachments allows us to support a wide range of rail projects, from emergency infrastructure maintenance and repair to upgrades and renewal schemes.
On-Track Plant (OTP) Hire

Geotechnical and Earthworks

Our skilled team has extensive experience in executing a wide range of geotechnical and earthworks projects, including regrades, soil and rock cuttings, piling, ballast retention and retaining walls.
Geotechnical and Earthworks

Protected Species Surveys

Many species, such as birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians and certain plants, are protected by UK and European law. Our licensed ecologists provide a wide range of surveys to establish the likely presence or absence of a protected species.
Protected Species Surveys

Bird Surveys

Ensure compliance with ecological regulations and protect bird populations by conducting bird surveys with our experienced team. Our surveys are conducted to the highest standards, providing reliable and accurate data.
Bird Surveys

Forestry and Woodland Management

Whether you require advice on creating a new woodland or assistance managing an established one, we can provide you with a comprehensive range of services that will help you to meet your economic and environmental goals.
Forestry and Woodland Management

Plant Operators Scheme (POS) Services

As Plant Operations Scheme (POS) licence holders, we are trusted to provide on-track plant, operators and the technical support needed to conduct operations on Network Rail managed infrastructure safely and in compliance with all regulations.
Plant Operators Scheme (POS) Services

Mechanised Vegetation Management

We are one of the few contractors in the UK to own and operate a specialised fleet of plant and machinery that enables us to fully mechanise tree and vegetation management.
Mechanised Vegetation Management

Drainage

We offer a range of drainage services, including the design, installation, inspection, and maintenance of drainage systems, including culverts, ditches, channels, and associated structures.
Drainage

Ash Dieback Management

With a fleet of RRVs, including MEWPs and specialist vegetation management attachments, such as forestry grade Grapple Saws, we can safely and efficiently dismantle and remove large volumes of diseased ash during possessions and from third-party land.
Ash Dieback Management

Habitat Management Plans

Our team collaborates with Network Rail and other stakeholders, including local authorities, trusts, and other organisations, to design Habitat Management Plans that preserve and enhance the lineside habitats, consider local conditions and comply with relevant legislation.
Habitat Management Plans

Invasive Weed Surveys and Remediation

Our Property Care Association (PCA) accredited surveyors and technicians develop treatment strategies and management plans for all non-native invasive and harmful species.
Invasive Weed Surveys and Remediation

Access and Haulage Roads

Access tracks and haulage roads are essential to the sustainable and efficient management of woodlands, so we assist landowners and managers with their planning, construction, repair, and maintenance.‍
Access and Haulage Roads

Reptiles and Amphibian Surveys

Ensure compliance with ecological regulations and protect reptile and amphibian populations by conducting surveys with our experienced team. Our surveys are conducted to the highest standards, providing reliable and accurate data.
Reptiles and Amphibian Surveys

Great crested newt (GCN) Surveys

Ensure compliance with environmental regulations by conducting great crested newt (GCN) surveys with our experienced team. Our surveys are conducted to the highest standards, providing reliable and accurate data.
Great crested newt (GCN) Surveys

Civils Project Support

Working in collaboration with our clients, we tackle a range of civil engineering projects, from earthworks and drainage to upgrades, refurbs and minor works. Our extensive technical and industry expertise brings a level of assurance that civil engineering contractors need to succeed in delivering complex and challenging projects.
Civils Project Support

Dormice Surveys

Ensure compliance with ecological regulations and protect dormice populations by conducting dormice surveys with our experienced team. Our surveys are conducted to the highest standards, providing reliable and accurate data.
Dormice Surveys

Site Clearance

We provide comprehensive and reliable tree and vegetation site clearance services for both small and large-scale civils and construction projects. Our highly specialised fleet of equipment includes whole tree chippers, forestry machinery, and our On-Track Plant with a variety of attachments such as grapple saws, flails and stump grinders. ‍
Site Clearance

Environmental Clerk of Works (ECoW) services

Our practical and knowledgeable ECoWs provide invaluable guidance on how to manage potential risks to biodiversity while overseeing the delivery of works.
Environmental Clerk of Works (ECoW) services

Habitat Creation and Enhancement

Aside from our experience in planning and designing habitat creation and enhancement schemes, we also oversee site works, such as the creation of woodlands, hedgerows, and wildflower meadows, so our clients can rest assured that the project will turn out successfully.
Habitat Creation and Enhancement

Ash Dieback Harvesting

Managing ash dieback is extremely dangerous, both for our team and for the general public. But thanks to our modern fleet of forestry machinery, including harvesters and Vosch grapple-saw equipped excavators, mean we can help our clients to manage ash dieback trees in a safe and efficient manner.
Ash Dieback Harvesting

Site Clearance services

We provide comprehensive and reliable tree and vegetation site clearance services for both small and large-scale civils and construction projects. Our highly specialised fleet of equipment includes whole tree chippers, forestry machinery, and our On-Track Plant with a variety of attachments such as grapple saws, flails and stump grinders. ‍
Site Clearance services

Planting and Woodland Creation

Woodland creation has become a major focus in the UK as the government seeks to tackle climate change and promote biodiversity. Landowners and farmers can benefit from several funding schemes designed to encourage them to establish new woodlands.
Planting and Woodland Creation

Tunnel Soot Removal

Our bespoke tunnel cleaning system is designed to effectively uncover the underlying brickwork, allowing Network Rail asset maintenance teams to carry out routine structural checks, maintenance, and upgrades.
Tunnel Soot Removal

Fencing

As AFI accredited Principal Contractors, we have a proven track record of delivering high-quality boundary, security and environmental fencing and barriers. Our team handles every aspect of the process, from planning and vegetation clearance to procurement and installation.
Fencing

Ips typographus Management

We offer a comprehensive, pro-active service for woodland owners with spruce to realise market values for all products before the trees become infected, or if you have already been issued a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN).
Ips typographus Management

Tree Surveys and Inspections

Our fully trained and qualified arboriculture surveyors provide a comprehensive range of tree surveys and inspection services for both lineside and trees on third-party land to satisfy our client's objectives and legal requirements.
Tree Surveys and Inspections

Planting and Habitat Creation

We can source, supply and plant all types of bare-root native trees, shrubs and hedging plants for any project, whether it be for new habitat creation and biodiversity gains, ecological mitigation, or purely for ornamental purposes.
Planting and Habitat Creation

GIS Habitat Mapping

Our team of experienced GIS analysts and ecologists uses the latest GPS technology and ESRI ArcGIS to create high-quality maps showing habitat distribution according to the UKHAB classification.
GIS Habitat Mapping

Our Clients

COOMBES tunnel sweeper

Increasing efficiency through innovation.

Our innovative soot removal attachment, developed in-house, has been proven to deliver excellent results quickly and safely.

Not only does it create a cleaner work environment, but its built-in water suppression and vacuum system also prevents harmful particles from becoming airborne, allowing other work in the tunnel to be performed without the need for specialised PPE. This maximises possession productivity and ensures the health and safety of the workforce.

COOMBES Civils

Meet the team

Huw AbbeyHuw Abbey

Huw Abbey

Head of Rail Civils
Paul FendtPaul Fendt

Paul Fendt

Senior Project Manager
Vinod SampongVinod Sampong

Vinod Sampong

Senior Commercial Manager
Matt CloseMatt Close

Matt Close

Project Manager

How we work

What makes us unique?

Rail focussed

Our civil engineering team is exclusively focused on serving the rail industry. We have a thorough understanding of the unique challenges and constraints of working in the rail environment and use our expertise and experience to deliver outstanding results safely.

Single-source integrated services

With in-house expertise in civils, environmental, vegetation management, and on-track plant, we have the ability to self-deliver a wide range of services. This diversity of capabilities allows us to provide comprehensive project management and reporting, as well as flexible, resilient, and real 'out-of-the-box' innovative solutions to our clients.

Collaborative and helpful

Effective collaboration and open communication with our clients and supply chain are essential to the success of every project. By working closely and being honest with our clients, we can better understand their needs and goals, overcome challenges and achieve the best possible results.

Experienced & Knowledgeable teams

Our team is made up of experienced professionals who are committed to getting the job done right. We invest in upskilling our team so they have the knowledge and expertise to complete projects efficiently and effectively.

Our Accreditations

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