Network Rail awards £1.1bn track machine contracts
Contracts have been awarded to Balfour Beatty Rail, Colas Rail, Swietelsky Babcock Rail (SB Rail) and VolkerRail Specialist Businesses to provide on track machines (OTM) including tampers and ballast regulators.
The four companies will also supply operational and support personnel to support routine maintenance, renewals, and upgrade works.
Around 70 self-propelled OTMs are included in the new contract and they will be operational 24/7.
The four suppliers will compete throughout the contract period, allowing Network Rail the flexibility to remove a poorly performing supplier or underperforming machines from the contract.
The contracts will run for eight years – April 2025 to March 2033 – with the possibility of extending them by two years.
Clive Berrington, Network Rail’s group director for railway business services, said: “This contract represents a substantial investment in the vital maintenance and renewal of Britain’s rail network, ensuring that it’s safe and reliable for the benefit of passengers and freight customers.
“The longevity of the contracts gives our suppliers the confidence to invest in new plant and update their fleets, ensuring the deployment of the latest machines and technologies. As part of our ongoing focus on sustainability, the new machines will also have an improved carbon footprint, fostering innovation across the industry.”
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