Atkins has been awarded a £23m contract to deliver the final phase of the Feltham to Wokingham re-signalling scheme.

The £190m project covers 80 miles of railway and 500 separate pieces of outdated signalling equipment which is being replaced as part of Network Rail’s commitment to transform the UK’s entire network through the deployment of digital signalling and train control technology.

Atkins has been involved at all stages of the Feltham to Wokingham programme - including the successful 2019 commissioning of Phase 1 which used the first digitally enabled interlocking system of its kind - and will now design, test and install new signalling equipment for the fifth and final stage which is scheduled to be commissioned in April 2024.

Scott Kelley, managing director of Atkins’ rail signalling business, said: “Success on Feltham has been built on the strong collaborative relationship we have with Network Rail which has allowed us to introduce cutting edge signalling methods and new ways of working that have enhanced delivery across all stages.”

Nick Higgins, senior programme manager for Southern Capital Delivery – Signalling at Network Rail, said: “This award marks our ongoing commitment to our partnership with Atkins on the Feltham and Wokingham Resignalling Programme. We are delivering big benefits for our passengers by improving the reliability of the railway and enabling it for future digital enhancements. The joint Network Rail and Atkins team, along with our other supply chain partners, have already achieved great success and I’m sure this will continue on the delivery of Phase 5.”

The Feltham to Wokingham programme has been delivered using the award-winning Atkins Signalling Method which reduces delivery timescales and improves in-service reliability through the provision of next generation interlocking, object controller and level crossing controller functionality with improved diagnostic and system performance monitoring.