Network Rail awards £1.5bn of ■
The next framework agreements for signalling work
Simon Kirby, Network Rail’s
have been given to Invensys Rail, Signalling Solutions and Atkins. The contracts with Network
Rail, worth around £1.5bn in total, will cover the majority of signalling renewals and enhancements in England, Scotland and Wales. They will start in April and last for up to seven years.
signalling framework agreements More Asian bidders expected to take part in future franchise competitions
managing director of infrastructure projects, said: ‘Network Rail is continuing to drive down the costs of Britain’s railway.’
He added: ‘As the number of passengers and companies that rely on Britain’s railway continues to rise, the safety-critical systems we use to run a safe and effi cient railway are more important than ever.’
Rugby signalling centre
Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTR) would bring its own engineers over from China to ensure minimal disruption during the rebuilding of London Bridge station in 2018, if it was successful in its bid to run Thameslink’s trains, its managers have said. The operator, which already has a stake in London
Overground operator Lorol, is making its fi rst solo bid in the UK with its pitch for Thameslink. But more Asian companies are expected to bid for contracts
in Britain’s transport infrastructure over the next few years, according to Nick Emmerson, partner in international law fi rm Eversheds. Lack of money in the west is likely to lead to more far eastern companies bidding for business in the UK, he predicts. Speaking from his London offi ce, he explained: ‘Asian companies have identifi ed UK transport and infrastructure assets as investment targets, as they offer long-term stable returns in a sector where they have recent and relevant know-how. ‘Bringing that experience and expertise, and the fi nancial
resource to back it, can only strengthen the UK’s ability to modernise. Asian companies have excess cash burning holes in their pockets.’
MARCH 2012 PAGE 11
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