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Project: Balfour Beatty – TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU W2BC)

Key Project Details

Client:

  • Balfour Beatty

Project: TransPennine Route Upgrade – W2BC

Location: Manchester to Huddersfield

Start date:

  • November 2024

End date:

  • 2032 (estimated)

Duration:

  • Ongoing

Contract Value:

  • £1m+

Guards Deployed: 10+

Hours Delivered: 2,000+

The Challenge

The TransPennine Route Upgrade between Manchester and Huddersfield is a complex, long-term infrastructure programme delivered in live rail and public environments, scheduled for completion in 2032. The project presented ongoing security risks including unauthorised access, trespass, vandalism, damage to perimeter fencing, and safety risks to both the workforce and the public. Balfour Beatty, as Principal Contractor, required a proactive and flexible security solution to protect critical infrastructure, support safe delivery across an extended route, and respond quickly to emerging risks throughout the multi-year programme.

What We Did

Aaron Guard was appointed to deliver comprehensive security services in support of Balfour Beatty’s delivery of TRU W2BC. Since November 2024, we have deployed 10+ security operatives and delivered over 2,000 hours of security coverage. Our solution includes:

  • Roaming Patrols – deploying roaming guards across the route to patrol high-risk areas, identify unsecured access points, damaged fencing, and trespass risks, and respond quickly to incidents
  • Static Guarding – positioning static guards at key locations to control access, protect assets, and monitor critical infrastructure
  • Out-of-Hours Patrols – carrying out dedicated patrols to detect vandalism, intrusion, and emerging security threats outside standard working hours

All operatives were recruited, inducted, and supported through Aaron Guard’s dedicated security and welfare management team, ensuring consistent standards and compliance across the programme. We worked in close collaboration with Balfour Beatty, Network Rail Enterprise, and British Transport Police, supported by weekly coordination meetings to review security performance, upcoming works, and risk trends.

The Outcome

  • Consistent, proactive security presence maintained across the TRU W2BC programme
  • Zero accidents or security-related incidents recorded over the last two years
  • Unauthorised access and trespass risks significantly reduced
  • Critical infrastructure protected throughout ongoing works
  • Safe progression of works supported across live rail and public environments
  • Strong collaborative relationship maintained with Principal Contractor and stakeholders
  • Ongoing security assurance provided to support programme delivery through to 2032

Added Value

This project demonstrates Aaron Guard’s capability to deliver sustained, high-quality security services on major, multi-year infrastructure programmes. Through proactive patrolling, close stakeholder collaboration, and dedicated management support, our teams have contributed to an exemplary safety record whilst protecting critical assets on one of the UK’s most significant rail upgrade programmes. The flexible, intelligence-led approach ensures security provision adapts to evolving risks throughout the programme lifecycle.