GrantRail is awarded track renewal contract

01 Jan 2004

GrantRail Ltd, the Doncaster-based railway infrastructure company, has today been awarded a contract by Network Rail for a five-year track renewal programme in the East Midlands and sections of the London North Western territory.

The first year of the works is expected to be worth in the region of £70m, the work will utilise state of the art modern “on-track” plant and equipment, purchased as part of GrantRail’s forward investment strategy to meet the demanding standards defined by Network Rail

The contract, which will see Plain Line and S & C Renewals, is the largest single contract to be awarded to GrantRail since the company’s formation in 1996, and the first of its type to be awarded by Network Rail.

Chief Executive of GrantRail, Gren Edwards, said: “The award of the track renewals contract is great news for GrantRail.   It represents a major landmark in the continuing growth of the company.

“GrantRail has previously undertaken major programmes of work for Network Rail across eastern England and Wessex in recent years   and I believe the award of these latest contracts is proof that GrantRail has earned a   reputation for expertise, innovation and providing value for money.”

Site work on the Midlands track renewal programme begins in April 2004 and will involve the renewal of both plain line and switches and crossings.    GrantRail remains the preferred bidder in the Southern Region.

The Midlands work will be managed by an integrated team comprising senior managers from Network Rail and GrantRail.   The integrated management approach and other new methods of working introduced by Network Rail have been warmly welcomed by GrantRail who have worked in true partnering/alliance contracts for over a decade.

GrantRail’s Group Commercial Director, Iain Gascoine, said: “We have enormous respect for the management skills at Network Rail and applaud the innovative approach they are taking to this difficult task of bringing our railways up to the desired quality and standards.

“We have developed an excellent working relationship with Network Rail and we look forward to contributing our expertise and experience in pursuit of common goals.”