Network Rail Signalling Contract Awarded
Network Rail has announced that Alstom have been awarded the Network Rail signalling contract for the line running between Reading to Paddington Station, London. A second contract has been awarded to Amey to provide resilient power supplies. The upgrade is an important step towards the opening of Crossrail, as well as part of the ongoing modernisation of the Great Western Main Line.
The contracts were awarded under Network Rail framework agreements. These agreements enable suppliers to invest in the skills and resources required for the delivery of sizeable projects.
Network Rail Signalling Upgrade
The contracts, worth a total of £90 million, relate to the final phase of the complete re-signalling of the line between Reading and Paddington Station, London. £79 million of that will go to Alstom to deliver the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of a cutting-edge train control system. The system will enable Elizabeth Line trains to run on that segment of the line, alongside Great Western Main Line trains.
An £11 million contract was won by Amey to supply signalling power works between Hayes & Harlington and Paddington. The contract relates to replacing obsolete power supplies with robust new power supplies for the signalling system. This will automatically supply the signalling system if there is a power failure between two points, reducing delays and optimising reliability.
The work will be carried out by Network Rail as part of its ongoing Rail Upgrade Plan. As Network Rail is a partner in the Crossrail project, it is supplying the design, development and delivery of the parts of the Crossrail route which will run on the main line rail network.
Matthew Steele, Crossrail Programme Director at Network Rail, said:
“This is a vital step in the delivery of a bigger, better, more reliable railway for London and the South East. By ensuring the new trains can run seamlessly amongst existing rail services and by building in resilience at the outset, we increase the capacity and reliability of the railway meaning that passengers benefit from quicker and easier journeys they can depend upon. To deliver this work in the safest and most efficient way possible, we need to make the most of the huge potential within our supply chain so we look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Alstom and Amey in the delivery of these crucial elements of the Great Western Main Line upgrade and our preparation for Elizabeth line services.”
Nick Crossfield, Managing Director Train Control solutions for Alstom in the UK, said:
“Alstom is very proud to take part in this project and will provide Network Rail with state-of-the-art, proven and reliable solutions.”
Crossrail is due to run passenger services through central London starting in December 2018, when it will be known as the Elizabeth Line.
