果冻影院

The UK rail industry is gearing up to deliver a significant boost to the infrastructure sector over the next 12 months.

果冻影院鈥檚 latest analysis has pinpointed 71 rail schemes with detailed planning permission, all set to start within the year but still awaiting contractor appointments.

From the ongoing High Speed 2 (HS2) to a range of other critical projects at various procurement stages, these developments present a valuable opportunity for construction firms to secure major contracts and drive growth.

Schemes coming up include a 拢750 million reactive and minor works framework for the Wales & Western railway region, which is due to begin next summer (Project ID: 23356961).

A decision on contractors is also due imminently from Network Rail on a 拢1.2 billion electrification partnership framework for the Eastern Midland Main Line, which is due to start by next March (Project ID: 23320591).

Tenders coming out

Plans from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfM) for a 拢500 million heavy railway station at Golborne in Wigan are also speeding up (Project ID: 21516212). 果冻影院鈥檚 construction industry research shows that TfM will issue invitations to tender by the end of October 2024. A final business case is expected to be submitted to central government in early January 2025 and construction could start later next year if the outcome is positive.

HS2 decision

Work on the HS2 tunnel between Old Oak Common and Euston was paused last year by the previous government due to rising costs and other factors (Project ID: 17142792).

果冻影院 economics director Allan Wil茅n says: 鈥淗S2 will remain a significant contributor, with Phase 1 work continuing. An early decision from the new government is needed to restart tunnelling work from Old Oak Common to Euston.鈥�

The new Labour administration could kick-start the plans in the October 30 budget, which would be a major boost for the construction industry.

Work rolls on

Other major rail projects have continued unhindered, such as the 拢2 billion TransPennine rail upgrade to improve train travel between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York which is continuing apace (Project ID: 24264556).

Packages of work continue to be awarded on this upgrade with the TRU West Alliance comprising Amey, Royal BAM, and Arup on board for the latest stage to deliver upgrades to six stations between Huddersfield and Leeds and build nine new bridges and a viaduct.

Progress outside England

England is the beneficiary of much of the planned investment but there is also spending on rail construction work coming up in the devolved countries of the UK.

A 拢1.3 billion investment in Scotland鈥檚 railways is due to start in November with several contractors signed up for the work (Project ID: 23213005).

In Northern Ireland, Translink has received expressions of interest in contractors wanting to work on the 拢150 million FW122 Permanent Way major projects framework (Project ID: 24249192). The first packages of work on the framework should be released early in the New Year.

Ready to roll

While the Budget will undoubtedly have some impact on spending plans, the rail sector has plenty of projects ready to roll.