Partner Article

New contracts for £385m Metro modernisation

NEXUS has awarded framework agreements with five major construction companies to deliver its £385m all change programme for the Tyne and Wear Metro.

The light rail system, used by 41 million passengers a year, will be modernised over the next 11 years, with tracks, power lines, signalling, stations and trains renewed.

The five companies awarded framework agreements to date are Balfour Beatty Rail Limited, BAM Nuttall, May Gurney, Serco and Morgan Sindall.

Nexus will conduct mini competitions within these companies for packages of construction and engineering work that form part of the overall Metro: all change programme.

It is to spend £38 million on modernisation projects this financial year.

This includes the start of comprehensive renewal of a 10km stretch of line between Tynemouth and Byker, an alignment dating to 1838 and the oldest commuter railway in the world.

Ken Mackay, Director of Rail and Infrastructure at Nexus, said: “Selecting these companies for framework agreements represents an important milestone for Metro: all change.

“We will deliver the bulk of modernisation projects that make up the overall programme through these framework agreements. This streamlines the procurement process while ensuring both expertise and competitiveness.”

The Government re-affirmed its commitment to the Metro: all change programme in June 2010, committing up to £350 million to the programme over 11 years.

With local contributions Nexus will invest up to £385 million over the period.

A project to refurbish all 90 Metrocars in the train fleet began this year.

This is being managed by DB Regio Tyne and Wear, which operates stations and trains on behalf of Nexus under a concession of up to nine years which started in April 2010.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .