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Monday 2 Aug 2004

NETWORK RAIL AWARDS NEW, EFFICIENT HIGH OUTPUT TRACK RENEWAL CONTRACT

Region & Route:

National

Network Rail today announced the award of a new, two-year contract for the maintenance and operation of its high output track renewals and ballast cleaning plant. The two-year, framework contract is anticipated to be worth around £30 million and represents an integral part of the company’s drive to improve the condition of its assets and step up its track renewals activity, needed following years of under-investment.  It will deliver cost reductions and significant improvements in value for money through: - ·        more integrated methods of working ·        optimisation of job lengths ·        better utilisation of track access and resources Network Rail is constantly looking at new ways to deliver its key role of rebuilding Britain’s railway.  This has seen a £39 million-investment in state of the art, high output track relaying and high output ballast cleaning systems, which dramatically increase the company’s track renewals capacity, maximising track access slots and so minimising disruptions to passengers. The contract that has been awarded to First Swietelsky, a joint venture between First Engineering and Swietelsky of Austria to operate and maintain the new high output track renewal and ballast cleaning equipment currently being introduced by Network Rail to the UK. -more- Renewals – 2 Network Rail Projects and Engineering Director Peter Henderson said: “The award of this contract is a significant step toward our goal of controlling costs, whilst delivering a more reliable railway infrastructure and better train performance. The huge task of rebuilding our railway is well underway.”