Four selected for £2bn rail electrification framework

They are: CarillionPowerlines, ABC Electrification, Balfour Beatty, and Amey Inabensa.

CarillionPowerlines is a 70:30 joint venture between Carillion and Austrian-based SPL Powerlines.

ABC Electrification is a joint venture of Alstom, Babcock and Costain.

Network Rail is planning to electrify more than 2,000 miles of Britain's railway over the next seven years. The framework suppliers will work with Network Rail to plan and deliver a range of schemes to electrify key routes.

Once complete, these electrification schemes, which include the Great Western and Midland main lines, Liverpool to Manchester and Preston, the Valley lines in south Wales and the 'electric spine' from Southampton docks to the West Midlands and Yorkshire, more than half Britain's rail network will be electrified with electric trains accounting for three-quarters of all traffic.

Six geographic framework contracts have been awarded, with each having a defined work bank of schemes:

• Scotland & North East:  CarillionPowerlines 
• Central (East Midlands):  CarillionPowerlines
• Central (London North Western, South):  ABC Electrification
• Central (London North Western, North):  Balfour Beatty
• Western & Wales:  ABC Electrification
• Southern:  Amey Inabensa.

Carillion chief executive Richard Howson said: "We are delighted that Network Rail has selected CarillionPowerlines as one of its framework suppliers for this major electrification programme.  I believe this reflects the investment we have made, and continue to make, in creating the skills and resources necessary to deliver programmes of this kind and our absolute focus on safety and quality.  We look forward to building on the strong partnership we already have with Network Rail, as we work together to deliver these vital improvements to the UK rail network."     

Balfour Beatty’s contract, expected to be worth £75m, covers the design and installation of all electrification equipment for the Northern Hub electrification programme for routes between Manchester-Preston-Blackpool and Manchester-Stalybridge. Its involvement in this framework follows on from its work on Phases 1 and 2 of the programme covering the Liverpool-Manchester route. 

Balfour Beatty chief executive Andrew McNaughton said: “We are delighted to be awarded this long-term framework contract by Network Rail. This builds on our well established relationship and allows continuing collaboration with the Network Rail team and our supply chain to deliver the biggest programme of rail electrification in a generation.”  

Simon Kirby, managing director of Network Rail’s infrastructure projects division, said: “Our work to electrify 2,000 track miles represents the biggest programme of rail electrification in a generation and will provide faster, quieter and more reliable journeys for millions of passengers every week while cutting the cost of the railway.

“Thanks to a firm commitment from government to invest in electrification schemes across the country, we are transforming the railway and providing Britain with a sustainable, world-class transport system that is fit for the future. 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.”

Railway Industry Association director general Jeremy Candfield said: “This is a major and very welcome step in the transformation of the railway. It will encourage suppliers to invest in the training and equipment needed for the growing national electrification programme and pave the way for suppliers’ greater involvement to maximise the efficient delivery of the projects.”

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