A critical role in all Rail projects

Remediation, Bridges, and Foundation Work are Integral to Keeping the Industry Running Smoothly.

Within our team, we have extensive experience delivering ground engineering solutions in complex and live rail environments. Our staff have carried out CRE/CEM roles in a Civils capacity, gaining approvals for piling works within the Track Support Zone (TSZ). We also have strong knowledge of planning, managing, and implementing ALO (Adjacent Line Open) procedures, as well as experience in planning lifting operations in active rail environments.

Our rail expertise enables us to deliver piling, slope stabilisation, retaining structures, and foundation works safely and efficiently, supporting both new construction and essential maintenance across the rail network.

Technically innovative solutions

Geotechnical Engineering in Rail Projects

Aarsleff’s work plays a vital role in rail infrastructure, providing the foundations and geotechnical expertise required to deliver safe, resilient and long-lasting rail assets. Our engineers engage with designers and clients from the earliest stages to develop value-engineered solutions that meet load demands, programme requirements and rail-specific safety constraints.

We offer a comprehensive range of specialist geotechnical services for the planning, design and delivery of ground engineering works, helping to manage ground risks in challenging rail environments.

With tight timescales and access restrictions, our extensive fleet of piling and geotechnical rigs, combined with one of the UK’s largest stocks of unjointed precast piles up to 16m long, enables rapid mobilisation and efficient installation. Clients value the programme certainty delivered by our driven piling and ground engineering solutions, especially where possession windows are limited and construction durations are critical.

Aerial view of Holbeck Network Rail Depot with buildings, tracks, and a train. A red pin shows the depot's location.

Aarsleff can provide the resources from our fleet of piling and geotechnical rigs, even under tight timescales and with deadlines to meet.

Our Suite of Solutions

Our Rail-Focused Ground Engineering Services

Aarsleff provides a suite of piling and geotechnical solutions specifically suited to rail infrastructure. Our experience enables us to support stations, platforms, trackside structures, embankments, and bridge works with safe, reliable and programme-driven delivery.

Piling Solutions for Rail Assets

Piling forms the foundation of many rail projects, particularly where challenging ground conditions must be managed efficiently. Drawing on our extensive fleet and geotechnical expertise, we deliver a range of piling techniques suitable for rail foundations, including:

These piling methods provide robust and predictable performance for structures such as platforms, bridge approaches, OLE bases and station buildings.

Engineered Retaining Systems for Rail Corridors

Rail projects often require retaining structures to accommodate level changes, stabilise cuttings or support widening works. We design and install retaining walls that are tailored to rail environments, including:

These systems help maintain long-term stability for embankments, platforms, bridge abutments and constrained rail corridors.

Geotechnical Measures for Slope and Ground Stability

Beyond piling, many rail sites demand earth retention or slope support due to ground movement or limited working space. Our geotechnical services help strengthen and stabilise trackside environments, including:

  • Specialist grouting
  • Soil nailing solutions
  • Ground anchor installations

These techniques reinforce slopes, support cuttings and improve the overall resilience of rail assets.

Aarsleff's piling rig in operation on a snowy train track. Two workers in PPE are standing nearby the rig.
A worker in an orange vest and safety PPE stands beside roadworks, operating equipment.

Get a quote

For more information about Aarsleff Ground Engineering or to send in your enquiry,
call 01636 611140 and speak to an expert member of our team today.

A leading UK ground engineering specialist, focusing on multi-discipline excellence and value engineering. We design and deliver some of the UK’s largest ground engineering projects.

An Aarsleff construction worker wearing a high-visibility jacket and hard hat on a site.

Our vision is to bring confidence to those constructing the landscape of tomorrow .

An Aarsleff construction worker wearing a high-visibility jacket and hard hat on a site.

1947. Central Jutland, Denmark. Per Aarsleff borrowed 10,000 Danish Kroner from his father’s life insurance, bought an excavator, and founded Northern Europe’s leading contracting company.

An Aarsleff construction worker wearing a high-visibility jacket and hard hat on a site.

Our biggest asset, our team is composed of the leading experts in ground engineering. Working with collaboration and cohesion at the core of our business, we can guarantee a quick and founded answer to all your questions.

An Aarsleff construction worker wearing a high-visibility jacket and hard hat on a site.

We recruit and reward our people based on our ‘Step into the Blue’ company culture, where we embrace the core values of Life and Health, Trust, and Responsibility.

An Aarsleff construction worker wearing a high-visibility jacket and hard hat on a site.

We do everything to ensure our team and yours work safely on our sites. With our core value of Life & Health, we see safety as a cultural pillar.

An Aarsleff construction worker wearing a high-visibility jacket and hard hat on a site.

Our ISO accreditations are an assurance to you that we take governance seriously. Read our policies to discover more.

An Aarsleff construction worker wearing a high-visibility jacket and hard hat on a site.

The projects that keep society running. Bridges, buildings, transit and rail facilities, embankment support, marine and offshore facilities, mines, airports, and water projects.

Close-up view of steel reinforcement cages at a construction site. A yellow KLEMM drilling rig is in the background.

Keeping things turning. Sewage Treatment Works, Waste Water Treatment Works, Wind Farms and Wind Turbines, Biomass Plants, and Power stations.

Aarsleff's Junttan PM 20HLC piling rig in operation with two workers present. Another piling rig can be seen in the background.

Meeting society’s needs. Nursing and care homes, MOD buildings, Schools and Universities, and small or large-sized residential developments.

Three piling rigs positioned on a muddy site under a blue sky. Construction workers are seen near the rigs.

Staying on the move. Remediation, bridges, and foundation work are integral to keeping the industry running smoothly.

Aarsleff worker kneeing down on one knee with a yellow piling rig and concrete piles in the background. The worker is wearing high-visibility clothing and a white hard hat.

The landscape of the marketplace. Mega-retail sheds, distribution warehouses, University accommodation, and major supermarket and household name units.

Commercial piling projects

Keeping things afloat. Ports and harbours, coastal defences, river embankments and inland waterways.

An aerial view of the Port of Hanstholm.

Supporting culture and learning with specialist piling and ground engineering. From museums and libraries to heritage sites and institutional buildings.

Three piling rigs positioned on a muddy site under a blue sky. Construction workers are seen near the rigs.