East Coast Digital Programme

Sturling is providing progressive safety assurance and CSM-RA support for the East Coast Digital Programme. This programme is a major modernization initiative replacing ageing infrastructure with digital, safer, greener, and more cost-effective signalling on a critical UK rail artery. It’s at the forefront of a broader national rollout of ETCS, marking a significant leap in rail technology and operations. 

Ottawa O-Train Line 1

Sturling provided safety assurance for the phase 1 of Ottawa’s rail expansion, known as the Confederation Line (O-Train Line 1), marked a major milestone in the city’s transit infrastructure. Completed between 2013 and 2018, this 12.5-kilometer electrically powered light rail line runs from Blair Station in the east to Tunney’s Pasture in the west, featuring a critical 2.5-kilometer underground tunnel through downtown Ottawa.

The project included 13 stations, both surface-level and underground, and was delivered through an Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model at a cost of approximately CAD 2.1 billion.

This development was Ottawa’s largest public infrastructure initiative in decades, aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving transit reliability across the city.

Following extensive construction and testing phases, the Confederation Line began revenue service in September 2019.

The project overcame several challenges including complex tunnelling in the downtown core and schedule delays. Its successful completion established a foundation for Ottawa’s broader Stage 2 transit expansion. Although initial operational issues prompted a public inquiry with recommendations for improvement, Phase 1 set a precedent for modern urban transit in Ottawa by providing faster, more reliable service and connecting key areas across the city.

Birmingham Metro

Sturling served as Transportation Safety Manager for the Midland Metro Alliance, overseeing safety management for the delivery of six tram extensions across the network. The role was responsible for establishing and implementing transportation safety management systems, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

Key duties included developing the Transportation Safety Management Plan at both programme and project levels, defining the Alliance’s Safety Policy, risk acceptance criteria, and maintaining consistency in safety activities across all projects. Sturling led the preparation of critical safety documentation including Preliminary Hazard Analyses (PHA), Hazard Logs, Safety Analyses, and the Engineering Safety Case (ESC).

As the key interface with the Alliance Management Team (AMT), Sturling provided strategic advice on safety matters and coordinated with project teams to ensure safety obligations were met throughout the design and delivery phases.

The role also involved close engagement with external stakeholders, such as the Independent Competent Person (ICP), infrastructure owner, tram operator, and maintenance authority, to ensure that all safety requirements were satisfied before new infrastructure and rolling stock entered revenue-earning service.

Sturling’s leadership helped embed a proactive and consistent approach to safety across one of the UK’s most complex urban light rail programmes.