Translink extends rail supply contract with British Steel

Northern Ireland’s national rail operator Translink has extended its rail supply contract with British Steel following a competitive tender process.

As per the terms of the latest agreement, British Steel will continue to deliver premium rail track for multiple projects over the next eight years.

British Steel Rail commercial director of Rail Richard Bell said: “We enjoy an excellent working relationship with Translink and are delighted to have signed this new contract extension after a competitive tendering process.

“This agreement is another great example of how we work in partnership with national rail operators, providing premium products and services to ensure optimum performance.”

The company will supply Zinoco, a corrosion protected rail developed to extend service life in aggressive environments including level crossings and tunnels.

It will also supply HP335 rails, which are designed to reduce lifecycle costs and provide an extended rail life.

Bell added: “Our products allow networks to carry more traffic with less maintenance, major benefits to operators, passengers and freight operators.”

Additionally, British Steel will support the development of the North-West Multimodal Transport Hub in Londonderry.

Scheduled to be completed by late next year, the hub will serve as an important gateway to the North-West region.

The Translink contract extension follows a series of rail agreements announced by British Rail last year.

In December, Italian railway infrastructure manager Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) placed an 86,000t rail order with British Steel.

The company also received a £200m contract extension from the UK’s rail infrastructure manager Network Rail for the supply of long steel rail in September 2018.