As the UK rail industry continues to deliver infrastructure improvements, asset renewals, and geotechnical research programmes, there is increasing demand for efficient and cost-effective ground investigation techniques. Hiring a PANDA® Dynamic Cone Penetrometer provides rail engineers, contractors, consultants, and researchers with access to high-quality subsurface data without the expense and commitment of purchasing specialist equipment.

The PANDA penetrometer is a lightweight, portable system capable of rapidly assessing near-surface ground conditions. Its compact design makes it particularly suitable for rail environments where access can be restricted, including embankments, cuttings, station approaches, and trackside locations. By hiring the equipment as required, organisations can undertake targeted investigations without the capital investment associated with ownership.

One of the principal benefits of PANDA hire is flexibility. Equipment can be mobilised for short-term investigations, research trials, feasibility studies, and construction quality assurance activities, allowing project teams to access specialist testing capability only when needed. This is particularly beneficial for rail projects where ground investigation requirements can vary significantly throughout the project lifecycle.

The PANDA provides continuous soil resistance data with depth, enabling rapid identification of weak layers, changes in material properties, and areas requiring further investigation. The immediate availability of results allows engineers to make informed decisions on-site, helping to reduce project risks and focus additional investigation resources where they will deliver the greatest value.

Hiring a PANDA penetrometer can also generate significant cost savings. Compared with traditional intrusive investigation methods, testing is quick to deploy, requires minimal site infrastructure, and can often be carried out by a small team. Reduced possession requirements, lower mobilisation costs, and faster data collection can help rail projects maintain programme efficiency while controlling investigation expenditure.

For construction projects, PANDA testing is widely used to assess earthworks, verify compaction quality, support formation assessments, and evaluate ground improvement works. For research programmes, the equipment provides an effective means of gathering large quantities of geotechnical data across extensive areas, assisting in studies of trackbed performance, embankment behaviour, drainage effectiveness, and asset resilience.

As the rail sector continues to focus on efficiency, sustainability, and data-driven decision-making, hiring a PANDA penetrometer offers a practical solution for obtaining reliable geotechnical information quickly and economically. Whether supporting research, design, construction, or asset management activities, PANDA hire provides a flexible and effective means of understanding ground conditions and reducing project risk.

A few years ago, Corehard was tasked with delivering laboratory testing services on the Falkland Islands airstrip. While the testing itself was technically challenging, it was the logistics that made the project truly remarkable.

Every vehicle and piece of equipment had to undergo extensive cleaning, be effectively sterilised, and then held in isolation before departure. The equipment then embarked on a journey lasting several months, calling at multiple locations before finally reaching the Falklands, where it was again placed in isolation until required.

Our operatives travelled separately and, upon arrival, were accommodated and prepared to commence the testing programme on this critical piece of infrastructure.

Projects like this are a reminder that successful engineering and testing is about much more than technical expertise. Careful planning, coordination, and overcoming logistical challenges are often just as important as the work itself.

Looking back, it remains one of the most unique and memorable assignments we've had the privilege to undertake.

We have recently been tasked with undertaking the same testing requirements once again, although thankfully this time much closer to home and with considerably fewer logistical challenges.

Being selected for these works is something we are extremely proud of. It reflects the confidence our clients place in both the quality of our laboratory services and the professionalism with which our team delivers them. It is particularly rewarding when previous experience and proven performance lead to repeat opportunities on critical infrastructure projects.

A huge thank you goes to everyone at Corehard who has contributed to this achievement. The dedication, expertise, and commitment shown by our team every day continue to build the reputation that allows us to be trusted with these important projects. We look forward to delivering another successful outcome.

#Infrastructure #Engineering #LaboratoryTesting #FalklandIslands #CivilEngineering #Logistics #Corehard

Corehard Launches New Blog Page to Share Industry Insights and Best Practice

Corehard is pleased to announce the launch of its new blog page, providing clients, local authorities, utilities, contractors, and industry professionals with regular updates, technical insights, and practical guidance across civil engineering, laboratory testing, highways compliance, and lane rental operations.

The new platform will feature industry news, expert commentary, case studies, regulatory updates, and best practice advice drawn from Corehard's extensive experience supporting infrastructure projects and network management activities throughout the UK.

Visitors are encouraged to follow the blog for valuable information on quality assurance, compliance, innovative inspection techniques, and developments affecting the highways and construction sectors.

Explore the new Corehard Blog today and stay informed with the latest industry knowledge from trusted independent experts.

https://blog.corehard.com/ 

Running an accredited laboratory is a level of scrutiny many people never fully appreciate.

Each year, and sometimes more often, UKAS auditors examine every detail of your accredited test procedures, checking alignment with updated standards, legislation, process changes and national or international compliance requirements.

Alongside this, laboratories must continually demonstrate internal control over measurement‑uncertainty budgets, competence, training, reporting integrity and full traceability.

Most people only see the final test report. What they don’t see is the discipline, precision and effort required from technicians, managers and support teams to ensure every result is reliable, accurate and traceable to a recognised standard.

Businesses familiar with ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 understand auditing, but in laboratories, that scrutiny is magnified somewhat.

Traceability, origin of measurement and evidential reliability sit at the core of every accredited test.

Clients may receive a polished report or certificate that appears to be a small administrative requirement. In reality, it represents a complex chain of controlled processes covering confidentiality, traceability, uncertainty, accuracy, competency, validation, reliability and quality.

In our own case, nearly thirty individual procedures and policies support laboratory functions alone, and that does not include multiple test procedures.

So to every laboratory professional; technicians, managers, quality leads and support staff, a simple well done!

Your work is the quiet driving force that keeps these highly regulated, process‑focused and administration‑heavy facilities operating effectively.

Accurate testing and clear reporting matter, even when the outcome isn’t what a client hoped for.  

In laboratory work, integrity isn’t optional; it’s the foundation that allows improvement to happen. Reliable results only exist when every stage of the process is objective, controlled and traceable.

Clients are right to question results, in fact, good laboratories expect it.

Only correct results have nothing to fear.

3rd August 2026 - Corehard Limited today announced the launch of its newly redesigned website, delivering a clearer, faster and more accessible digital platform for clients, partners and industry stakeholders across the UK highways and utilities sector.

The new website provides streamlined navigation, improved service visibility and enhanced access to technical resources covering highways compliance, street‑works inspections, lane rental governance and UKAS‑aligned testing. The redesign reflects Corehard’s commitment to precision, integrity and evidence‑driven operational performance.

Laura Doyle, Business Development Manager said the new platform reinforces the company’s mission to support Local Authorities, Utilities, Contractors and PFI Operators with clear, dependable and technically robust information.
“Our focus was to build a site that mirrors our operational values, clarity, reliability and technical strength. The new website makes it easier for organisations to understand our services and access the support they need.”

The website is now live and accessible to all visitors here.

About Corehard Limited  
Corehard Limited provides independent highways compliance, street‑works assurance, lane rental governance and UKAS‑aligned testing services across the UK. The company delivers evidence‑based performance insights, technical clarity and operational integrity for Local Authorities, Utilities, Contractors and PFI Operators.