A joint venture comprising Alstom, Babcock and Costain has signed a €1.1bn framework agreement with Network Rail for the electrification of the UK’s railways over the next seven years.

Known as ABC Electrification, the joint venture is one of four suppliers to deliver a €2.4bn programme that will electrify more than 3,000km of railways.

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"The delivery of this major electrification programme is an essential part of the country’s rail network."

Alstom will equip the railways with substations, autotransformers, switchgear and 25kV overhead line equipment, and will also be responsible for the provision of SCADA systems and signalling design, installation management, distribution installation, testing and commissioning.

Alstom UK president Terence Watson said: "The delivery of this major electrification programme is an essential part of the country’s rail network and vital for the continuing growth of the UK economy."

In February, Costain secured a £75m contract from Network Rail to electrify the Edinburgh Waverly to Glasgow Queen Street Railway.

The contract includes route clearance works, rail infrastructure works and platform extensions at Linlithgow, Polmont, Falkirk High and Croy.