Job Description
Access Planner
Location: Stratford
Salary: Up to £50,000
About the company
This is a great opportunity for opportunity for an experienced Access Planner to join a respected rail infrastructure contractor delivering complex and multi-disciplinary projects across the UK network.
Our client is a specialist rail services provider focused on planning, designing, and delivering safe and efficient rail operations. They work across multiple disciplines including track, electrification, signalling, and infrastructure upgrades, supporting some of the busiest and most operationally challenging areas of the network.
Safety, innovation, and collaboration sit at the heart of their culture, and they are dedicated to supporting the professional growth and development of their employees through ongoing training and progression opportunities.
Access Planner role purpose
As an Access Planner, you will play a key role in enabling the safe and efficient delivery of rail projects by planning and coordinating all track access and possession arrangements.
You will liaise closely with internal teams, contractors, and Network Rail to secure possession windows, manage late access requests, and ensure all works are carried out safely, compliantly, and with minimal disruption to the operational network.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a forward-thinking rail contractor with clear routes for progression into senior planning and project management roles.
The key responsibilities for the Access Planner role are:
1. Reporting to the Planning or Delivery Manager, providing regular updates on access planning activities.
2. Develop, manage, and deliver detailed track possession and access plans in line with project requirements.
3. Coordinate with contractors, site teams, train operators, and infrastructure managers to ensure safe and efficient access during possessions.
4. Submit and manage access and possession requests, ensuring all approvals, isolations, and protection arrangements are completed.
5. Monitor and review changes to access requirements, resolving conflicts and escalating risks where required.
6. Produce and maintain accurate documentation, including Safe Work Packs, permits, and possession plans.
7. Ensure full compliance with all rail safety standards, legislation, and internal procedures.
8. Support continuous improvement initiatives across planning processes and operational delivery.
9. Liaise with delivery and engineering teams to optimise planning and minimise disruption to rail services.
10. Prepare reports, schedules, and summaries for management and project stakeholders.
Experience and skills required for this Access Planner role are:
Essential:
11. Proven experience in rail access or possession planning within a contractor or infrastructure environment.
12. Strong understanding of railway infrastructure, operations, and planning systems.
13. Proficiency with Possession Planning System (PPS) or similar tools.
14. Knowledge of NR/L2/OHS/019 and other safe work planning standards.
15. Excellent communication and stakeholder coordination skills.
16. Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
17. Experience producing accurate Safe Work Packs, access plans, and permits.
18. Relevant rail safety certifications (e.g., PTS, COSS).
19. High attention to detail and a strong safety-first mindset.
Desirable:
20. Experience working on London or urban rail networks.
21. Exposure to multi-disciplinary rail projects, including track, signalling, and electrification.
22. Working knowledge of RailHub, On-Trac, or other access management systems.
23. Competence in Microsoft Office applications.
Package on offer for this Access Planner role:
Package on Offer:
24. Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum
25. Location: Stratford – office based, 5 days per week
26. Holidays: 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays
27. Benefits: Auto-enrolment pension scheme, employee assistance programme, and ongoing professional development