Engineering giant AtkinsRéalis has secured a major contract to modernise the signalling and telecommunications infrastructure on thousands of miles of railway track in the East of England.
The company has been selected as one of two suppliers, for Lot 2A of Network Rail’s Eastern Routes Partnership (ERP) Framework along with Amey, which was announced as a partner in the framework in May. The AtkinsRealis deal is worth up to £150 million with the option to extend for a further five years.
The Eastern Routes Partnership is in place for the whole of Control Period 7 (2024-29) and will see up to 15 suppliers deliver nearly £3.5bn of upgrades and renewals across the region.
With this particular project, AtkinsRéalis will upgrade vital equipment including signalling interlockings, level crossings, and telecommunications systems across the region, including much of the East Coast Main Line, Midlands Main Line and the Anglia route. Much of the existing infrastructure is over 40 years old and in need of replacement.
Ian L. Edwards, CEO of AtkinsRéalis, said: “This contract underlines our position as a leader in delivering cutting-edge rail infrastructure. Modern signalling and communications are essential for safe, reliable, and sustainable rail travel. We’re excited to be part of this vital project.”
Richard Robinson, President of AtkinsRéalis UK & Ireland, added: “The East of England is a crucial part of the UK’s transport network, carrying millions of passengers and vast amounts of freight every day. We’re committed to working closely with Network Rail to improve journey times, boost capacity, and enhance the overall passenger experience.”
This isn’t the only project that AtkinsRealis is currently undertaking for Network Rail, as it is also playing a key role in the ongoing £2bn East Coast Digital Programme that will allow in-cab digital signalling to be used on the East Coast Main Line. It has also been an integral part of the huge Feltham and Wokingham re-signalling scheme in south-east London that involved upgrading and reinstalling a completely new digital signalling system in the area.
Jake Kelly, Managing Director for Network Rail’s Eastern Region, said: “This partnership will help us deliver a significant upgrade to our railway, improving reliability and performance for passengers and freight customers. We’re looking forward to working with AtkinsRéalis to deliver this vital project.”
MORE: AtkinsRéalis is in the running to win two awards at the 2024 National Rail Awards
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