Media centre

Friday 20 Jun 2003

NETWORK RAIL NAMES PREFERRED BIDDERS FOR FIVE YEAR TRACK RENEWALS CONTRACTS

Region & Route:

National

Network Rail has announced the preferred bidders for a series of five-year track renewal contracts for the rail infrastructure. The multi-million pound contracts represent a key element of the company’s cost reduction strategy and will deliver significant improvements in value for money.  In addition, the contracts are an integral part of Network Rail’s drive to improve the condition of its assets and catch up on the backlog of track renewals resulting from years of under investment. The 11 geographically based contracts have a combined value estimated at £500M a year.  The contracts will incorporate new methods of working to ensure more efficient delivery of renewals through improved specification, optimising of job lengths, better utilisation of track access and resources, competitive pricing and benchmarking unit rates for standardised work types.                                                             Network Rail Chief Executive John Armitt said: “The award of these contracts is a significant step toward our goal of reducing and controlling costs, whilst delivering a safe and efficient railway.  Renewals work and reducing the average age of the assets is fundamental to improving the tolerance of a fragile network following  years of under investment ”             Final contract award is subject to successful negotiations of detailed contract terms and conditions. The preferred bidders are:                                                                                                                                           Renewals-2           Plain Line Track Renewals Network Rail Region Preferred Bidder Scotland First Engineering North West First Engineering London North Eastern Jarvis Midlands  Grant Rail & Carillion Great Western AmeySECO Anglia Balfour Beatty Southern Grant Rail & Balfour Beatty Switch & Crossing Installation Contracts Network Rail Region Preferred Bidders Scotland / London North Eastern / Anglia Balfour Beatty & Jarvis Midlands / North West Carillion & Grant Rail Great Western Carillion & Jarvis Southern Balfour Beatty & Grant Rail