DfT adds fourth team to Tier 1 projects panel

Addleshaw Goddard’s Rail team has been appointed to Tier 1 of the Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) inaugural rail panel alongside Ashurst, DLA Piper and Eversheds.

The four Tier 1 firms will undertake complex long-term projects including rail franchise competitions, major rolling stock procurements and infrastructure projects. The DfT described this as “a significant reduction in the number of firms eligible to bid for these key projects”.

The AG Transport team, which includes Paul Hirst, Ursula Gould, Bruce Kilpatrick, Michael Rainey, Alex Clayton and Andrew Carter, has worked on high-profile mandates including advising the DfT on both the West Coast Partnership and West Midlands franchise competitions.

It has also advised Hitachi Rail Europe on a series of projects for the supply and maintenance for fleets of AT300 bi-mode trains and Keolis/Amey Rail on its successful bid for the £500 million Manchester Metrolink O&M Concession.