System alliance preferred bidders

Network Rail has revealed its preferred bidders for the ten-year rail system alliance covering the Scotland and South areas.

In the south (Anglia, South East, Wessex, Western and Wales Routes), Colas Rail and AECOM are the preferred bidders, while in Scotland, Babcock Rail, Arup and Arcadis have been named.

Bidding for the Central section contract (covering the London North Western, London North Eastern and East Midlands Routes) is ongoing. Total value of the two contracts announced so far is an estimated £5 billion.

Contractors will deliver work including track, points, overhead lines and signalling for an initial five years with an option to extend for a further five.

Steve Featherstone, Network Rail Programme Director for Track, said: “Reaching this important milestone ensures we will have a stable foundation for the delivery of Great Britain’s core railway infrastructure for the next decade. Our new strategy allows us to better align to the routes and, ultimately, deliver for customers.”

Another contract awarded by NR in January was a three-year nationwide rail grinding contract to Colas Rail. Under the award, Colas will operate and maintain six rail grinders and deliver almost 1,400 operational shifts a year.

It introduced three Loram C44 plain line grinders in 2017 and has expanded its Rugby maintenance depot to accommodate a 150 metre-long, 64-stone rail grinder.