Network Rail has today awarded five-year contracts worth £800m for the haulage and operations of its engineering trains and seasonal treatment services in control period 6 (CP6, 2019-2024).

The rail haulage contracts, which include network, bulk ballast and possession engineering trains, have been awarded to Freightliner, GB Railfreight, Direct Rail Services, DB Cargo UK and Colas Rail UK. DB Cargo UK, GB Railfreight and Freightliner will also operate Network Rail’s supply chain operations local distribution centres in CP6, with a focus on improving facilities and safety for better working practices and performance.

As part of the seasonal services contracts, Balfour Beatty and DB Cargo UK will be providing the weedspray and autumn/winter multipurpose (MPV) services in CP6. Rail head treatment train (RHTT) autumn services will be operated by DB Cargo UK, Direct Rail Services, Colas Rail UK, GB Railfreight and Freightliner. GB Railfreight will be operating the snow and ice treatment trains (SITT) while Direct Rail Services will operate the winter development train. 

Network Rail say the new contracts will help to drive improvements in performance and delivery for more reliable services for passengers and freight. Rob Morton, director of supply chain operations, Network Rail, said: “These contracts demonstrate the commercially creative approach Network Rail’s supply chain now adopts. We have applied a more collaborative and forward-thinking style to our sourcing than previously, which aligns not only our goals, but those of our supply partners.

“The new contracts provide us with sufficient flexibility to direct our spend to those suppliers who deliver the best service. We have also ensured the deals have appropriate mutual benefit to maximise their longevity and chance of delivering successfully.” 

The haulage and seasonal services contracts awarded are as follows:

Lot 1: Haulage for network, bulk ballast and possession trains – Freightliner, GB Railfreight, Direct Rail Services, DB Cargo UK and Colas Rail UK;

Lot 2: Operations at Network Rail’s local distribution centres – DB Cargo UK (Millerhill, Carlisle, Doncaster, Toton, Hinksey, Westbury and Hoo), GB Railfreight (Bescot, Whitemoor and Eastleigh) and Freightliner (Crewe);

Lot 3: Multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) weedspray treatment – Balfour Beatty and DB Cargo UK;

Lot 4: MPV autumn and winter treatment – Balfour Beatty and DB Cargo UK;

Lot 5: Rail head treatment train (RHTT) for autumn treatment – DB Cargo UK, Direct Rail Services, Colas Rail UK, GB Railfreight and Freightliner;

Lot 6: Snow and ice treatment train (SITT) for winter treatment – GB Railfreight;

Lot 7: Winter development train for winter treatment – Direct Rail Services;

Lot 8: Snow ploughs, route proving and ice breaking for winter treatment – Direct Rail Services;

The framework award is one of the most substantial of Network Rail’s CP6 contracts to be let following the Office of Rail and Road’s final determination, which confirmed £42bn of funding for rail operations, maintenance and renewals.