HS2 GSM-R

Project Overview

HS2 Tranche C (HRS-24): GSM-R Telecoms Integration & Assurance


Employer: AtkinsRéalis (Seconded to HS2)
Sector: Rail, Telecommunications, Operational Technology
Location: Remote / London, UK
Role: Project Engineer (GSM-R)
Period: January 2024 – April 2024

Executive Summary

As part of the HRS-24 (Tranche C) workstream within the HS2 telecommunications programme, I was seconded from AtkinsRéalis to support HS2’s Engineering Delivery team as a Project Engineer for the GSM-R trackside radio network. This workstream focused on completing the planning, integration assurance, and residual interface resolution activities required to enable the deployment of the GSM-R system across High Speed Two’s Phase One footprint. My responsibilities included coordinating with interfacing contractors and system owners, reviewing engineering deliverables, verifying compliance against Network Rail standards, and ensuring that residual risks and telecoms interdependencies were captured, deconflicted, and documented ahead of handover.

Objectives / Challenge

Coordinate and verify the delivery of outstanding GSM-R work packages across multiple geographic sectors and infrastructure interfaces.

Ensure compliance with NR/L2/TEL, TSI CCS, HS2 DOORS-based requirements, and Programme-wide telecoms standards.

Resolve residual telecoms interface issues, including interdependencies between GSM-R and ETCS, signalling, and operational control.

Maintain assurance traceability for readiness of GSM-R works as part of HS2’s HRS-24 regulatory obligation to the Department for Transport and Network Rail.

Approach / Solution

Technical & Document Review:

  • Reviewed Interface Control Documents (ICDs), RAMS, fibre route plans, and GSM-R node drawings to identify inconsistencies and missing assurance evidence.
  • Audited contractor design submissions for traceability against HS2 and Network Rail baseline standards (e.g. GSM-R infrastructure spacing, power resilience).

Coordination & Stakeholder Management:

  • Facilitated cross-disciplinary workshops between Telecoms, Civils, Signalling, and RAM teams to clarify GSM-R-related interface boundaries and closure plans.
  • Acted as liaison between HS2 Engineering Delivery, Project Controls, and external stakeholders including Network Rail, Siemens, and BBV JV to track progress and raise technical queries.

Interface & Risk Resolution:

  • Identified and tracked open points impacting GSM-R delivery, including design clashes, unclear asset ownership, and legacy route integration conflicts.
  • Developed and maintained a detailed interface risk register and updated entries in the HS2 CDE (ProjectWise / DOORS NG) to reflect real-time status.

Assurance Contribution:

  • Provided GSM-R-specific evidence for Readiness to Proceed / Acceptance Gates, including comment resolution logs, compliance statements, and integration maps.
  • Supported submission of Engineering Integration Pack updates to HS2 Assurance and Network Rail Integration Managers.

Outcomes / Results

Interface Closure Progress:

  • Enabled closure of several key GSM-R delivery items by clarifying scope boundaries and accelerating agreement across interfacing teams.

Assurance Readiness:

  • Supported the collation and verification of assurance deliverables contributing to HS2’s HRS-24 milestone compliance obligations.

Standards Compliance:

  • Ensured continued alignment of contractor output with NR/L2/TEL and TSI CCS specifications, avoiding assurance blockers at delivery stage.

Risk Reduction:

  • Flagged and mitigated residual risks relating to GSM-R integration with signalling and power systems prior to mobilisation of commissioning teams.

Stakeholder Value:

  • Recognised for effective coordination across organisational boundaries, maintaining delivery pace during a critical pre-handover period.


Key Technologies & Methodologies

  • GSM-R trackside telecoms infrastructure (BTS, BSC, optical backhaul)
  • Network Rail standards: NR/L2/TEL, NR/L2/INI/CP0063, NR/GN/TEL/30100
  • European TSI CCS and ETCS/GSM-R interface protocols
  • Engineering deliverable review: ICDs, fibre layouts, asset registers
  • Project tools: Privavera P6, DOORS NG, MS Teams, SharePoint, Excel-based trackers
  • Stakeholder coordination: HS2 Engineering Delivery, NR Telecoms, Telent
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