Supporting Network Rail
to Deliver the Hessle Road NX Panel
Client: Network Rail
Location: Hessle Road Signal Box, Hull North-East England (ELR HUL1 1m 77ch)
Sector: Rail Infrastructure – Signalling
Services Provided: Signalling Design (ES5), Technical Assurance, Consultancy Support
Project Duration: Sept 2025 – April 2026
Overview
Mosaic Rail partnered with Network Rail to deliver the Hessle Road Signal box panel renewals, a modernisation project aimed at improving safety, reliability, and maintainability in the Hessle Road control area.
The work involves replacing the existing panel with a combined Control and Indication NX panel.
This scheme also supports Network Rail’s broader asset strategy by modernising safety equipment, updating control interfaces and ensuring compliance with current standards and long-term operational resilience.
The Challenge
Hessle Road Signal Box relies on ageing, obsolete signalling and control equipment that is no longer supported and increasingly difficult to maintain, creating risks to operational reliability, safety, and maintainability. The challenge is to replace and modernise this infrastructure with a sustainable, like-for-like solution that improves safety, supports current operational needs, and ensures long-term asset resilience while integrating additional functionality and removing redundant systems.
Our Approach
Mosaic Rail’s signalling design team delivered the full ES5 design stage in accordance with Railway Group, Rail Industry and Network Rail Standards.
We collaborated closely with Network Rails engineering and construction teams to ensure all works were technically compliant, practically buildable, and ready for safe commissioning.
Our structured and collaborative approach ensured that all works were safe, compliant, and buildable, with key activities including:
- Detailed assessment and correlation of existing relay room records, resolving legacy discrepancies.
- Production of comprehensive design deliverables covering scheme plans, control tables, relay room and NX panel.
- Application of CSM and CDM principles, embedding safety and maintainability into all design outputs.
- Active participation in Interdisciplinary Design Checks (IDC/IDR) and Design Gateway Reviews, ensuring alignment with route engineering and Level Crossing Management teams.
The Solution
Mosaic Rail assisted Network Rail to successfully implement a like-for-like renewal of the Hessle Road signalling control system by designing a modern, modular NX panel, integrating level crossing CCTV monitors and controls directly into the new panel to improve operator efficiency and ergonomics. Reconfiguring and reconnecting existing infrastructure—including plug-coupled cabling, block bells, and telecoms interfaces—to ensure seamless continuity of operations, while maintaining existing interlocking, train detection, and control systems.
Enhancing system resilience and maintainability through targeted upgrades, including relay replacement with modern equivalents and reinstatement of routes to improve operational flexibility during disruptions. Remove redundant legacy equipment, such as filament failure units, in line with LED signal upgrades, and rationalise indications to align with current operational requirements, delivering a safer, more reliable, and sustainable signalling environment.
Results & Impact
Through technical excellence and disciplined delivery, Mosaic Rail supported Network Rail in achieving a seamless transition from mechanical to digital operation, without compromising existing signalling integrity or operational safety.
Key Takeaways
Early collaboration between Mosaic Rail and Network Rail ensured successful management of technical interfaces and constraints.
Partner with Mosaic Rail for signalling design and assurance services that modernise infrastructure, enhance safety, and improve operational resilience across the UK rail network.
Key Outcomes:
- Supported Network Rail’s asset modernisation and resilience objectives across the Hull maintenance area.
