Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Thursday, 23rd November 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Thursday, 23rd November 2023
Network Rail has readied firms for the procurement two major frameworks together worth around £2.5 billion for the Eastern and Midlands regions.
An article on Construction Enquirer says the infrastructure provider has put out a call for firms to bid for a £1.1 billion framework for Reactive and Small Scheme works covering its building and civil assets within the Eastern Region over five years.
Selected firms will cover a range of works from geotechnical, bridge and tunnel upkeep, rock cuttings and earthworks alongside reactive smaller-scale buildings and structures work packages.
In the Midlands, Network Rail has also put firms on alert for a £1.4 billion major alliance deal.
This planned alliance will deliver the Midlands Rail Hub programme of major works across the West, Central and East Midlands.
The construction of HS2’s longest tunnels – stretching for 10 miles under the Chilterns – passed a key milestone this week with mining completed for 19 out of 38 emergency cross-passages linking the northbound and southbound tunnels.
Once complete, the tunnel will carry high speed trains between London and the West Midlands at speeds of up to 200mph (320km/h) freeing up space on the busiest part of the West Coast mainline and improving journeys between Britain’s two largest cities.
The trains will travel through two parallel tunnels linked by short passages for use in emergencies. Unlike the main tunnels, which are being excavated by two giant tunnelling machines – named Florence and Cecilia – these smaller cross-passages are dug using remotely controlled mini-excavators.
Network Rail has announced the awarding of £61.5 million worth of contracts for the delivery of the East Kilbride Enhancement Project.
Contracts have been awarded to Story Contracting, AmcoGiffen, SPL Powerlines, Siemens, Rail Systems Alliance Scotland and WSP to deliver 22.4 single track kilometres of electrified railway, as part of the Scottish Government’s wider plans to decarbonise passenger services across Scotland’s Railway.
Transport giant Firstgroup’s profits soared and its dividend increased as it continued a stellar run this year on the back of passenger demand for bus and rail.
Half-year adjusted operating profit came in at £100.6m, a 52.2 per cent increase on the prior year, while adjusted earnings per share rose to 8.1p from 4.6p.
The bumper performance rewarded shareholders with an increased dividend of 1.5p share, up from 0.9p in 2023.
Meanwhile, total revenues increased to £504.9 million, up from £427.7 million and this was despite a £19 million reduction in COVID-related government grant funding.
Photo credit: HS2 Ltd
