Network Rail awards major signalling framework contracts

Network Rail has awarded five geographical framework contracts for major signalling renewal programmes:

– Alstom (Southern Region and Eastern region);

– Siemens Mobility (Scotland Region and North West & Central region);

– Hitachi Rail STS UK and Linbrooke Services joint venture (Wales & Western region).

The frameworks have an estimated total value of £2·4bn during Control Period 6 in 2019-24, and up to £3·6bn with options covering the first two years of Control Period 7 in 2024-26. Each supplier was able to win a maximum of two lots.

‘The major signalling frameworks are the final awards in a three-tier approach to signalling delivery for Control Period 6’, said Network Rail’s Commercial Director Paul Wright on February 7. ‘The awards have gone to suppliers that, between them, have many years of signalling experience and will help Network Rail facilitate key signalling renewals safely and efficiently.’

Nick Crossfield, Managing Director of Alstom UK & Ireland, said the supplier ‘will be increasing the use of digital technology and automation, reducing cost and increasing reliability, and building on successful projects such as the Bristol Area Signalling Renewals and Enhancements Alstom delivered in the Western region last year’. He said ‘inclusivity and diversity are at the heart of our plan, and we look forward to creating hundreds of new highly skilled jobs and up to 270 apprenticeships as we do so.’

Rob Morris, Managing Director for Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility Ltd, said the framework awards ‘build on our strong relationship with Network Rail and an outstanding delivery record of which we are extremely proud’. He said Siemens Mobility was ‘the only supplier of command, control and signalling to have a fully integrated operation in the UK, from research and development through to manufacture, installation, testing and customer service’.

The Hitachi/Linbrooke consortium said it intends to deliver ‘industry challenging connectivity and signalling technology for the benefit of passengers’ by drawing on Hitachi’s global products.

Source: railwaygazette.com