Network Rail this week awarded the contract for track work associated with its upgrade of Reading station and the surrounding railway.
The contract, worth in the region of £20m, was awarded to Carillion and will run until the project completes in 2016.
Bill Henry, project director for Network Rail in Reading, said: “Awarding this contract is an important step towards improving Reading’s railway. Carillion will be working with us for the next five years as we create a new track layout for Reading designed to increase capacity and cut delays.
“We’ll be working hard to get this job done with minimum impact on passenger and freight services running through Reading.”
Arith Liyanage, Carillion Rail managing director, said: “Carillion is delighted to have been awarded this contract from Network Rail. Our innovative techniques will ensure timely, cost effective work with minimum disruption to rail passenger and freight services. We aim to build long-term relationships with our customers and we’re proud to be part of Network Rail’s substantial investment in this area.”
28km of new track and 92 S&C units will be installed as part of the Reading upgrade. The track team will use a modular approach to install the track, laying it in pre-assembled sections to reduce the need for railway closures, minimising the impact on train services.
During 2011 track work will focus on the Southern lines used by South West Trains services to London Waterloo. The track layout will be amended to serve the new southern platform, which will be brought into service over Christmas 2011.
