Network Rail has awarded contracts worth up to £1.1 billion to four suppliers of on-track maintenance machines vital in maintaining and renewing Britain's railway network.
The contracts have been awarded to Balfour Beatty Rail Limited, Colas Rail Limited, Swietelsky Babcock Rail (SB Rail) and VolkerRail Specialist Businesses Limited, to provide On Track Machines (OTM) including tampers and ballast regulators. They will also supply operational and support personnel to support routine maintenance, renewals, and upgrade works, ensuring Britain's 20,000 miles of track is maintained to the highest standards.
Around 70 OTMs are included in the new contract. They are operational 24/7 and are self-propelled, allowing them to quickly reach sites needing intervention, thus minimising disruption to passengers and freight customers.
Clive Berrington, Network Rail’s Group Director, 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."
The new contracts represent the third iteration and reflect updated standards and technologies essential for supporting Britain's rail network. 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.
Image credit: Network Rail
