31.10.17
Network Rail awards TransPennine route upgrade contracts
The contract for future improvement work on the TransPennine route between York and Manchester has been awarded by Network Rail to an alliance of organisations.
Design infrastructure options for the route will be completed by Amey, BAM Nuttall and Arup, and will include upgrades to civils, track, railway systems and electrification west of Leeds.
The group will work with NR on creating development proposals to be submitted to the DfT in December, as part of the Great North Rail Project.
“We are focussed on developing the potential infrastructure enhancements that will lead to faster, more frequent and more reliable train services across the north and will submit these to the DfT at the end of the year,” explained Paul McKeown, director of route sponsorship for NR’s London North Eastern and East Midlands route.
The contract follows on from the wider rail enhancements between York and Leeds – awarded in October 2014 to an alliance between VolkerRail, Murphy and Siemens.
Tim Ketteringham, West of Leeds alliance manager, commented: “The TransPennine Route Upgrade is a major programme of rail improvement that will have a real and lasting impact on people and communities in the north of England for generations to come – connecting towns and cities, improving journey times and supporting economic growth.
“I am thrilled to be part of the alliance of companies that is working together as one team to deliver this step change in rail travel.”
The upgrade is aimed at creating speedier and more reliable services in the north of England. It will also increase the frequency and length of some journeys from Newcastle, Hull and York towards Manchester and Liverpool via Leeds.
East of Leeds alliance manager, Neil Lindley, said the project would be a “key milestone” for rail services and transport development in the north of England.
He stated: “Complex multi-disciplinary projects such as this require the knowledge and diverse skillset brought through alliancing, especially in the early stages of design development.
“We look forward to working alongside the West of Leeds Alliance, TOCs, FOCs and other major stakeholders to improve transport links and provide local communities with faster and more frequent rail services; transforming the north for years to come.”
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