Network Rail awards £800m rail haulage and seasonal services contracts

The rail haulage contracts for CP6 (2019-2024), 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. 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.

The new contracts will help to drive improvements in performance and delivery for more reliable services for passengers and freight. They form part of Network Rail’s £42 billion investment, which will be spent over the next five years. Earlier in 2019, Network Rail accepted the Office of Rail and Road (ORR)’s ‘final determination’, which set out what should be delivered for the funding available. They subsequently published delivery plans giving detail on how the money will be spent.

“These contracts demonstrate the commercially creative approach Network Rail’s supply chain now adopts,” stated Rob Morton, Network Rail’s director of supply chain operations. “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.”