ABB obtains Principal Contractor Licence from Network Rail

ABB has achieved a major breakthrough in the UK rail sector by obtaining a Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence (Provisional). This licence now enables ABB to act as a main contractor on behalf of Network Rail to execute turnkey power supply projects across the UK.

Network Rail requires all contractors undertaking physical works on the UK’s mainline railway network to demonstrate that they have effective systems in place to manage safety, quality and environmental aspect of their business. These systems are detailed within the Principal Contractor Licence – a single common registration, qualification and audit process for suppliers. To obtain this licence, ABB had to pass a rigorous two-stage audit process, first with Achilles Link-up and then with Network Rail itself.

‘Obtaining this PCL opens up exciting new opportunities for ABB to provide complete turnkey package solutions for Network Rail power projects, enabling us to become involved in contracts as the main contractor,’ says Seamus O’Neill – Operations Manager – Rail. ‘Historically, we have worked with Network Rail on a number of major power upgrade projects, but when it came to trackside civil works such as substation foundations we had to work through a licensed contractor. Now we are able to handle all aspects of the project, providing Network Rail with an effective and responsive single point of contact.’