Planning Assistant (Access)

Network Rail; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Rail in Cardiff is seeking two permanent Access Planning Assistants to support the optimisation and integration of engineering access plans. You will liaise with requesters, customers and stakeholders to build and optimise the access plan and assist with coordination of access requirements.

The role requires strong organisation, attention to detail, and good IT skills, with opportunities for development within a large railway organisation.

Qualifications

• Ability to work under pressure.
• Strong organisational and workload prioritisation.
• Good attention to detail.
• Clear communication and customer-focused approach.
• Willingness to document Access Planning requirements.
• IT proficiency and understanding of planning systems.

Responsibilities

• Support possession planning for worksites, line blockages and related activities.
• Coordinate access requirements with requesters, customers and stakeholders.
• Attend and co-chair planning meetings as needed.
• Create materials to aid delivery of the engineering access plan.
• Identify and implement quality and efficiency improvements.
• Engage with Route-wide stakeholders to coordinate access.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Organisational skills

Willingness to document Access Plans

IT proficiency

Railway geography knowledge

Train services knowledge

Planning systems

Tools

Planning systems

Job description

At Network Rail, we're part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain and operate our network.

About our people and the recruitment process-We're an inclusive employer of choice and wewelcome applications from everyone!We look for opportunities to offer great opportunities to learn and grow through personal and professional development. And, if you make the grade then you can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that joined the top 50 in the Glassdoor's 2021 Best Places to Work.

We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone.

About the role

To assist and support in the optimisation and integration of access into the Route engineering access plan. To work cross-functionally, liaising with all work requesters, customers and stakeholders to build and optimise the engineering access plan through worksite integration.

• Support the Planning Team to deliver all activities associated with planning for possessions, worksites, line blockages, TSR¿s, On Track Machines and Engineering Trains in accordance with all relevant standards.
• Process and support Route access requirements and successfully integrate within the engineering access plan.
• Attendance, and when required co-chairing possession planning meetings including producing, checking, validating publications and updates as necessary.
• Assist and support with the creation of materials and documentation to aid the operational delivery of the engineering access plan.
• Engage with Route wide stakeholders and customers and support with the coordination of their access requirements.
• Assist and support with the identification and implementation of quality and efficiency improvements.

There are 2 x Permanent roles available.

We positively embrace flexible working recognising that employees may wish to balance work and family/home life.
In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.
At Network Rail we promote a diverse and inclusive organisation. We are working in conjunction with the Cultural Fusion team to support black, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues.

Your experience and skills

• Able to work under pressure.
• Able to prioritise and organise workload to ensure that deadlines are met.
• Able to demonstrate the ability to organise effectively.
• Displays a good attention to detail.
• Displays good communication skills and a customer focussed approach within a team or as an individual.
• Willing to learn to document all aspects of Access Planning requirements.
• Good understanding of IT and operating of systems.
• Knowledge of relevant railway geography and network capability.
• Knowledge of relevant train services and network capacity.
• Knowledge of relevant planning systems.

Key Information

Number of Positions:

2

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time

Location:

Cardiff St Patrick's House, Cardiff

Geographical Area:

Closing Date:

23-SEP-2026

Job Category:

Administration & Secretarial

Function:

Organisation:

EI Wales and Marches Access Planning (618566) G2