Road Rail Access Point Mats for Network Rail Electrification Works in Newport, Wales
As part of major electrification works, Network Rail needed to establish a Road Rail Access Point (RRAP) at their railway station in Newport, Wales. The access point had to support heavy construction traffic—including 50-tonne road/rail excavators, dumper trucks, and commercial vans—moving from the highway onto the track. The objective was to create a safe, stable route while protecting the existing hard surface and avoiding unnecessary reinstatement.
The Challenge: Heavy Road/Rail Plant on Existing Tarmac With High Reinstatement Risk
RRAPs are often formed using temporary tarmac, but this can be costly to reinstate and is vulnerable to damage under frequent heavy plant movements. With vehicles turning, reversing, and repeatedly loading the same route, surface degradation can quickly lead to repairs, downtime, and added cost.
Network Rail needed a robust alternative that could withstand demanding use, protect the underlying infrastructure, and be removed and reused once works were complete.
Our Solution: MaxiTrack Modular Roadway Mats for a Stable, Reusable RRAP
GroundGuards recommended MaxiTrack heavy-duty trackway mats to create a defined RRAP while protecting the existing surface. Manufactured from tough, reinforced plastic and weighing 40kg per mat, MaxiTrack can be installed by hand without lifting equipment, supporting rapid deployment in live rail environments.
Overlapping Flanges and Secure Fixings for High-Load Stability
MaxiTrack’s overlapping flange design and secure fixings lock the mats firmly in place, helping maintain stability even when heavy machinery is turning or reversing on the access route.
180 Mats Deployed With Traction for All Weather Conditions
A total of 180 MaxiTrack mats were installed to form the access route. The SmartGrip tread provided essential traction for vehicles in wet or variable conditions, while the modular format allowed the RRAP layout to be configured to suit the site constraints and loading requirements.
Efficient Installation With Reuse Built In
Installation was completed quickly and efficiently, and the mats were ready to be recovered and reused on future projects - helping reduce waste and lower long-term costs compared with temporary surfacing and reinstatement.
Results: Reliable RRAP Performance With No Surface Damage
The completed RRAP supported the required construction activity without disruption. The tarmac and underlying infrastructure remained protected throughout, avoiding costly repairs and delays.
Network Rail valued the simplicity and strength of the MaxiTrack system, along with its reusability as an alternative to traditional temporary surfacing and reinstatement.
Key Lessons for RRAPs and Rail Infrastructure Access
- Where reinstatement cost is a concern, reusable RRAP mats can provide a practical alternative to temporary tarmac.
- Specify mat systems that stay locked under turning and reversing - RRAPs see concentrated stress at key manoeuvre points.
- Traction is critical in rail environments where weather conditions change quickly and surfaces can become slick.
- Lightweight mats that install by hand can reduce time on site and simplify logistics for access point deployment.
- Modular formats make it easier to configure RRAPs to suit layout constraints and loading demands.
Speak to GroundGuards About RRAP Mats and Rail Access Solutions
If your rail project needs durable access that protects existing surfaces and reduces reinstatement cost, GroundGuards can help. We supply safe, reusable matting systems for RRAPs and infrastructure works. Contact our team to discuss your requirements.
