Network Rail at London Bridge station
Client Type
Rail
Services provided
Utility management services, utility value engineering, utility commercial management, utility site management
Navigating a complex utility land rights challenge to secure a £1m saving to the client
Our insights created savings of £15 million while strengthening the approach to utility management, helping to safeguard project timelines and minimise potential disruptions on this nationally.
Background
Assisting Success was appointed by Network Rail (NR) to support the £1 billion redevelopment of London Bridge Station, a flagship scheme within the Thameslink Programme. Working alongside design partners WSP and Arcadis, we led the management of utility-related activities — from design to installation and handover — while also delivering stakeholder engagement across highway and public realm works. Through our proactive technical insight, we unlocked cost savings, accelerated delivery, and reduced risk on one of the UK’s most complex and high-profile infrastructure projects.
The brief
As part of the redevelopment, Assisting Success was tasked with resolving a long-standing issue involving the removal of a redundant DNO substation behind the Shipwright Arms pub. The substation’s removal was key to unlocking new bin storage and maximising the lettable frontage of an adjacent retail unit. UK Power Networks (UKPN) had quoted £1 million for the decommissioning — a cost Network Rail had no budget to absorb. The issue had remained unresolved for over a year until Assisting Success was brought in to lead a resolution.
Our solution
We conducted a detailed review of the substation’s land rights, including wayleaves and easements between Network Rail and UKPN. Our investigation confirmed the substation was originally installed as a ‘consumer’ substation, but UKPN had since repurposed it to supply local street furniture, signage, and traffic systems — without updated rights in place.
We led engagement with UKPN’s legal and land rights teams and facilitated negotiations that resulted in full substation decommissioning and removal — at zero cost to Network Rail. We also resolved outstanding land rights by facilitating a voluntary wayleave agreement for residual UKPN assets, ensuring long-term compliance and access. These outcomes created new operational space for bin storage, improved commercial frontage, and unblocked progress on a strategically important site.
