Parsons Brinckerhoff appointed as design engineers for the Trans Pennine West Electrification programme

Parsons Brinckerhoff, the global engineering consultant, has been awarded the design engineering contract for the first phase of electrification on Network Rail’s Trans Pennine rail route which runs from Manchester to Leeds and York. The company is already working closely with Network Rail on other major schemes in the north west including the Northern Hub upgrade and North West Electrification programmes.

The first phase of upgrading the route, known as Trans Pennine West, will see the railway electrified from both Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly stations through to Stalybridge, and includes the introduction of electric rolling stock to serve a number of existing and proposed new routes. As part of the Lancashire Triangle, this project will deliver capacity and journey time improvements for both passenger and freight services across the north west region.

Parsons Brinckerhoff’s project team will incorporate innovative BIM design techniques and 3D modelling into the overall design process. This collaborative approach will integrate into one programme the track, overhead line equipment, signalling, telecommunications, electrification, civil engineering, stations, and environmental elements.

Darren Reed, Head of Rail UK/Europe, said “We are delighted to be appointed by Network Rail to further support the vital electrification of the UK railway network. It will enable greater capacity, shorter journey times, less maintenance, lower energy costs, and will boost the economy by providing better connections between towns and cities of the north.

“We are already working closely with Network Rail and the industry to help achieve step changes in the whole life cost efficiency and reliability of the electrification system and particularly through our work on both the North West and Great Western Electrification programmes”.

The scope to be delivered by Parsons Brinckerhoff covers a variety of activities. These include electrification and journey time improvements between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge, re-signalling of Ashton Moss North to Denton Junctions, operability improvements at Ardwick Depot, a resilience study of the existing electrification system between Ashburys and Newton-for-Hyde stations, and pre-feasibility options for Miles Platting Junction to Newton Heath Depot.