The UK’s rail infrastructure manager, Network Rail, has awarded the framework contracts for renewing the network’s signalling and safety systems. Seven companies will be in charge of these works, with a budget of 4 billion pounds (4.687 billion euros at the current exchange rate).
One of the companies that will participate in this process is the Spanish company CAF Signalling, which is entering the British railway signalling market.
This renovation, which aims to modernise signalling and improve traffic safety, will be executed through specific contracts between 2024 and 2034.
The framework contracts are divided into two lots according to the type of signalling to be deployed.
Lot 1 – Conventional signalling (£1 billion budget):
- Alstom.
- AtkinsRealis.
- Hitachi.
- Siemens.
Lot 2 – ETCS (£3 billon budget):
- Alstom.
- AtkinsRealis and CAF Signalling.
- Siemens.
- Thales and VolkerRail.
Clive Berrington, Network Rail’s Group Commercial & Procurement director said: “Our new train control systems framework brings a positive change in approach to how we work with suppliers for the provision of signalling services. We will all be working much more collaboratively with each other and our relationships will feel like partnerships”.
“Through the framework, we have grown the size of the UK signalling market with the introduction of two new suppliers. These bring increased diversity and capability, leading to better market performance. We’ve also brought improved visibility of our workbank for our partners which will enable them to invest in skills and innovation which will benefit the rail industry”.
