12.04.18
NR awards £115m track deal to Balfour Beatty
Balfour Beatty has been awarded a seven-year contract worth over £115m by Network Rail.
The contract is for the supply, operation and maintenance of Balfour Beatty’s fleet of 13 track maintenance vehicles, known as ‘on track machines’ or ‘tampers’ by Network Rail.
The company will be responsible for delivering tamping shifts across Anglia and south east routes – some of the most heavily used parts of the UK rail network.
The machines carry out maintenance, renewals and upgrade work, ensuring that the track is aligned to enable smooth, efficient and safe journeys for passengers.
Tampers maintain the track by hydraulically lifting it and packing ballast underneath the sleepers to fill voids, realigning the tracks.
Mark Bullock, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s rail business, said: “The contract is an important one for both Balfour Beatty and Network Rail as it will ensure the smooth and safe operation of some of the busiest sections of the railway.
“By operating both tampers and stoneblowers for Network Rail, Balfour Beatty is uniquely positioned to offer an integrated track geometry service to the Routes.”
The company will also introduce at least two new tampers for this contract, with the first expected to be delivered by 2021.
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