EC Harris, the global built asset consultancy, has been appointed by Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd to assist with the delivery of three Inter City Express Depots that will be constructed on the Great Western Mainline between Swansea and London Paddington.
The new depots will be built at London North Pole, Bristol Stoke Gifford and Swansea Maliphant and will support the next generation inter-city train fleet.
EC Harris will be ‘instrumental in the delivery of the overall programme of work’ providing Project, Commercial and Risk Management services to ensure the scheme is completed on time and within the agreed budget.
The new depots, which will be built over the next three years, will allow the introduction of a new fleet of high speed Hitachi trains that will help to reduce journey times, increase reliability and improve the overall passenger experience on the soon to be electrified Great Western railway line.
Andy Barr, Senior Vice President at Hitachi Rail said:
“The delivery of the three new depots will be vital to the overall success of the Intercity Express Programme.
“Selecting the right delivery partner will be central to achieving this and after careful consideration we have chosen EC Harris as we recognised they were fully aligned with our objectives and could immediately add value to the programme.”
Have Hitachi even got the train contract yet, I thought it was all at the shortlist bidding stage?
Hitachi is the Preferred Bidder but nothing has yet been “signed, sealed & delivered.”
They’re waiting for financial close with the DfT…and waiting… and waiting… and waiting. While they are wating the business case looks shakier than ever, confirmation of electrification to Hull and Swansea looks ever nearer, a Pendolino is tested on the ECML, the size and makeup of the all-electric and bi-mode fleet is altered for the umpteenth time and oil prices head upwards ever further….