10.03.14
Carillion and Buckingham JV wins £87m East West Rail contract
A joint venture between Carillion and Buckingham Group Contracting has won the £87m contract for the railway upgrade between London Marylebone and Oxford.
The works – which form part of the western section ofEast West Rail– will deliver significant economic, social and environmental benefits to the wider Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire regions, according to Network Rail.
The project is overseen by the Bicester to Oxford Collaborationbetween Chiltern Railways, Network Rail and East West Rail, and includes building a new 1km section of railway to connect the Bicester Town to Oxford line to the Chiltern main line.
It will also involve widening the existing track bed; doubling over 18km of track; increasing line speed to100mph; constructing new overbridges, underbridges and footbridges; closing 37 level crossings; building a new station at Oxford Parkway; upgrading Bicester Town and Islip stations; and installing a new signalling system.
Once the Oxford to London line and the western phase of the East West Rail scheme is delivered, a further phase will reconstruct and double disused track between Claydon junction and Bletchley; upgrade and double track between Bicester and Claydon junction, and Aylesbury and Claydon junction; and build a new station at Winslow.
Mark Davies, managing director of Carillion Infrastructure, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to deliver this important contract that in itself facilitates two strategically important rail links, one between Oxford and London and another as the first phase of the East West Rail Scheme.
“The Carillion Buckingham Joint Venture brings a wealth of experience and skills which are required to safely deliver this demanding project, embracing the highest standards of sustainability.”
The latest update on the East West Rail project is available here.
Project timeline:
Now to December 2014
Main works in the Bicester area
May 2014 to August 2015
Main works between Bicester and Oxford Parkway
April 2015 to March 2016
Main works in the Oxford City area (west / south of Oxford Parkway)
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]