Parsons Brinckerhoff appointed as Industry System Integrator for Great Western Route Modernisation

Parsons Brinckerhoff, the global engineering consultant, has been awarded the Industry System Integrator contract for the Great Western Route Modernisation Programme in support of Network Rail and the Department for Transport.

This £7.5bn programme, due to complete in 2019, will improve services across the Great Western main line network, enhancing passenger experience and providing more seats and better stations.

The overall programme incorporates several significant infrastructure investment projects, including electrification and re-lock and re-control of the Great Western Main Line, the Intercity Express Programme, interfaces with Crossrail West Surface Works, and the major upgrade of Reading Station. Through the provision of new technology alongside upgrading existing infrastructure, the focus will be on achieving significantly improved performance and reliability combined with greater capacity.

The Industry System Integrator team will work with infrastructure, operational and rolling stock technical specialists to assure the successful delivery of the programme.

Building on Parsons Brinckerhoff’s successful implementation of systems integration to manage other complex rail programmes across the UK, the team will work closely with Network Rail to deliver the route output specifications and collaborate with stakeholders to minimise disruption.

The scope to be delivered by Parsons Brinckerhoff covers a full suite of system integration activities drawing on programme management and systems engineering techniques. The joint team will act as a focal point for integrating engineering, operation and franchise solutions to meet the government and industry requirements and assure delivery of expected outputs.

Darren Reed, Head of Rail UK/Europe for Parsons Brinckerhoff, comments: “We are delighted to be selected by Network Rail as Industry System Integrator to tackle one of the greatest systems integration challenges on the UK rail network today. Having delivered complex rail systems integration on programmes such as Thameslink and Northern Hub, we bring our unrivalled experience and innovative practices to support the transformation of the Great Western railway.”