UK rail infrastructure manager Network Rail has awarded four contracts worth up to £1.1 billion (€1.29 billion at exchange rates) to four companies to maintain its 32,000 km rail network.
The selected companies are Balfour Beatty Rail, Colas Rail, Swietelsky Babcock Rail (SB Rail) and VolkerRail Specialist Businesses.
The contracts will initially last eight years, from April 2025 to March 2033, with the possibility of a further two-year extension.
This agreement includes providing approximately 70 on-track maintenance machines (OTMs), such as ballast tamping machines, and operational and support staff. These self-propelled machines are designed to operate continuously, allowing rapid intervention in areas requiring maintenance.
Clive Berrington, Network Rail’s group director of rail services, highlighted that this investment ensures the safety and reliability of the UK rail system. He also stressed that the new machines will have an improved carbon footprint, encouraging innovation and sustainability in the sector.
This contract marks the third phase of the procurement process and incorporates updated standards and advanced technologies to optimise rail infrastructure management.