Rail industry adopts pure construction alliance for Stafford
In a move unique to the UK rail sector, Network Rail, Atkins, Laing
O’Rourke and VolkerRail have formed the industry’s first ‘pure construction alliance’ to deliver the circa £250 million Stafford Area Improvement Programme (SAIP) on the West Coast Main Line. Faced with remodelling/resignalling
the complex layout through Stafford and a proposal to construct a new flyover at Norton Bridge to separate the commuter/ freight/InterCity services, Network Rail looked overseas for a contract solution to the multidisciplinary challenge. Dominic Baldwin, alliance manager for
the SAIP explained: ‘While collaborative contracting and the concept of alliancing isn’t new to the industry, for Stafford due to the different disciplines involved, we wanted to push the boundaries and develop a ‘one project, one organisation’ mentality, removing the barriers associated with traditional contracting.’ The solution came from Australia in
the form of the ‘Pure Alliance Model’ – a radically different employer/contractor relationship new to the UK rail industry and based around one unified agreement where all parties share the benefits and the risks – a clear move away from the more traditional ‘hub and spoke’ style of contracting towards a completely integrated ‘one team’ structure. For Stafford, the process began at the invitation to tender stage, with interested parties asked to submit their bids as pre- formed alliances, supported by Network
Rail project team members. ‘It was particularly important for us
to adopt this collaborative approach from the outset, hence our work with each of the pre-formed alliances, providing a seamless transition on announcement of the successful bidder,’ said Baldwin. ‘The manner in which our partners responded has demonstrated their commitment both to the process and to the wider objective of driving through efficiencies and added value for the industry.’ Operating from Crewe and Stafford,
the SAIP Alliance of Atkins, Laing O’Rourke, Network Rail and VolkerRail will be responsible for the successful delivery of the Stafford improvements, covering disciplines including trackworks, civils (e.g. structures, earthworks), signalling, telecommunications, highways alterations and pipeline diversions. The formation of the SAIP Alliance
has been welcomed by Network Rail’s managing director of Infrastructure Projects, Simon Kirby, who believes it represents a key change for the rail industry. ‘This type of truly collaborative
approach is the natural way forward for contracting within Network Rail and indeed the wider rail industry. By adopting a common focus and shared approach with our industry partners, this will ultimately help to drive down costs, reduce risk and lead to the more efficient and timely delivery of major projects such as Stafford.’
The Alliance partners also believe
that the approach adopted for Stafford heralds the way forward for cross-industry contracting. Steve Higham, managing director,
Rail Engineering Projects for Atkins, said: ‘There is a clear requirement for us all to work smarter to reduce the cost of running the railway. SAIP is an exciting project and provides an opportunity to push the boundaries of infrastructure delivery through innovation.’ Operations leader at Laing O’Rourke,
Graeme Castle, said: ‘Partnership, safety, teamwork and collaboration are the watchwords of the infrastructure sector and we are honoured to stand alongside our colleagues to champion this new approach for rail in the UK.’ Rob Offord, Network Rail’s
representative on the Alliance Leadership team said: ‘The essence of this alliance is about transforming the delivery of infrastructure projects, defining excellence through collaboration and creating a positive lasting legacy for Staffordshire.’ ‘We are excited to be part of the first
true alliance in the UK rail industry,’ said Stuart Birch, director of Major Projects at VolkerRail. ‘It is a fantastic opportunity to help shape the future delivery of complex projects and provides us with a chance to demonstrate how well collaboration can drive cost-savings, improved health and safety and quality. We will work to ensure that the SAIP Alliance is internationally recognised as a supplier of choice.’
Stafford Area Improvement Programme (SAIP) The Stafford Area Improvement Programme (SAIP) is designed to address existing capacity constraints on the West Coast Main Line in and around Stafford. Scheduled for completion in December 2017 to service the introduction of the new timetable, the programme itself comprises three core elements: • 23 miles of line speed improvements between Crewe and Norton Bridge
• The re-signalling and remodelling of the track layout through Stafford
• The proposed construction of a new flyover at Norton Bridge, helping segregate commuter, freight and InterCity services.
Shown left: SAIP Alliance manager Dominic Baldwin (far left) and the SAIP Alliance Leadership Team, left to right, Graeme Castle, Stuart Birch, Steve Higham and Rob Offord, pictured with the Stafford knot - the traditional symbol of Staffordshire and its
county town, Stafford. Page 18 April 2013
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