We assume environmental responsibility for normal rail operations and the maintenance works inside and outside the stations and along our rail lines. With our contractors, we set targets internally that exceed those required under law. We operate under a contractual framework on our construction sites that requires certain achievements linked to a milestones payment system for environmental management covering wastage, re-cycling and disposal of resources and materials. Regular site inspections, progress reports and audits are conducted, with any environmental hazard identified and the subsequent remedial work followed up immediately.

Constructions sites by nature produce large volumes of waste materials and environmental disruption. The company’s EMS governs how our sites and contractors are managed and audited for strict environmental procedures and compliance. Working experience has identified dust and noise levels, water and construction materials wastage, site management and re-cycling programmes as the key areas of continuous inspection. However, contractors employed by our divisions are responsible for their own compliance with environmental regulations and are encouraged and trained through our partnering system to exceed standards. In 2004, the several dozen contractors engaged on our railway construction sites collectively incurred no prosecutions for breaches of environmental regulations.