Amey has been appointed by Network Rail to provide systemwide integration services for Phase One of the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) programme, further strengthening its involvement in one of the UK's most significant rail infrastructure investments.
The contract, awarded through Network Rail's Development and Design Partnership Framework (DDPF), will see Amey act as the system integrator across six major projects that make up NPR Phase One. The appointment places the company at the centre of efforts to ensure the individual schemes are developed and delivered as a fully integrated railway network.
Under the contract, Amey will provide system engineering leadership, helping to bring together projects spanning the Bradford to Leeds, Leeds Station, Leeds to York and Leeds to Sheffield corridors. The objective is to ensure the programme functions as a single, cohesive railway while supporting the business case for the next stage of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Working alongside Network Rail and a range of delivery partners, Amey will lead the development of a Network Option Selection Report. This will assess and integrate a wide range of factors, including journey times, network performance, maintainability, constructability, sustainability, cost estimates, benefits mapping, and land and consent requirements.
By taking a whole-system approach, Amey aims to maximise the collective benefits of the six projects, ensuring greater value is delivered for passengers, local communities and the wider rail network.
Colin Wood, Managing Director, Amey, said:
"We are pleased to have secured another major contract as part of the Development and Design Partnership Framework. It reflects the confidence Network Rail has in our ability to deliver complex programmes and develop solutions that deliver benefits across the network as a whole.
"At Amey, we believe major rail programmes succeed when individual projects are designed and delivered as part of a wider, integrated system.”
“….and we are proud to be supporting the development of a joined-up railway solution that balances performance, resilience and long-term value for local communities. We look forward to working with Network Rail and partners to help shape the next phase of this important programme."
The latest award builds on Amey's expanding relationship with Network Rail and follows the company's recent appointment on the Leeds to Sheffield corridor element of NPR. It also marks the third major project secured by the company through the DDPF framework, reinforcing Amey's position in the planning, development and delivery of complex rail infrastructure programmes.
The contract is also expected to provide further momentum for the growth of Amey's Rail Consulting business as the Northern Powerhouse Rail programme continues to evolve.
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