Atkins and Parsons Brinckerhoff have been selected by Network Rail as lead design organisation (LDO) and system integrator for the planned electrification of the Great Western Main Line in the UK.
The contract includes electrifying 1,000km of railway line and fitting around 20,000 overhead line support structures to prepare the route between London and Cardiff for electrification.
Work on the Great Western Main line, which is part of Network Rail’s £10bn UK-wide electrification programme, will allow the new Hitachi-built Intercity Express trains to run on the line after being delivered in 2017.
Under the deal, the companies will jointly work on designing the overhead line equipment and power systems to electrify the route and provide engineering assurance throughout construction.
Work under the project will also include modification of platforms and bridges, as well as track lowering where necessary.
Atkins UK rail business managing director Douglas McCormick said that electrification is very important for the UK railway network and the project is one of Network Rail’s first major electrification schemes.
"It will enable greater capacity, shorter journey times, less maintenance, lower energy costs and will boost the economy by providing better connections between towns and cities," McCormick said.
Atkins LDO project director Russell Jackson said: "The joint team will take on the challenge of integrating all engineering systems into the design process and will coordinate with other projects along the route to make sure the whole railway system is successfully enhanced."
Image: Electrification works on the Great Western Main line will allow the new Hitachi-built Intercity Express trains to run on the line when they arrive in 2017. Credit: courtesy of Tognum.
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