Network Rail has awarded five-year contracts to both Altran and AECOM to support the delivery of work within its safety, technical and engineering (STE) strategic plan over Control Period 6 (2019-2024).

Part of a new managed services facility arrangement, Network Rail says the new contracts will enable greater integration with the two suppliers, allowing early engagement and increased collaboration on discrete packages of work.

Martin Frobisher, Network Rail’s group safety, technical and engineering director, said: “The managed services facility is a new, innovative contractual arrangement that has been developed to help us successfully deliver on our CP6 commitments. It will be particularly helpful in managing the significant peaks we can experience in work activity, and reduce the pressure those peaks place on our workforce.

“Both Altran and AECOM will provide us with additional capacity and capability to deliver and access to new and innovative ideas from other industries. This will ultimately deliver benefits for our passengers and freight users, particularly around safety and reliability.”

Mark Southwell, managing director, civil infrastructure, UK & Ireland, AECOM, said: “The framework enables a new way of working that encourages collaboration, with Network Rail, AECOM and Altran. Focused on driving safety, environmental and performance improvements across the rail network, we will work together to deliver projects within the Network Rail safety technical and engineering directorate national programmes.”

John Napier, Altran’s business unit director for rail, said: “We are delighted to be selected to work with Network Rail’s STE team to support the delivery of key rail projects over the next five years. This new contract provides an opportunity to build a mature and lasting partnership with Network Rail, and we’re excited to get started on delivering key elements of the CP6 commitments.”