Last month, Network Rail (www.networkrail.co.uk) issued a Prior Information Notice (PIN) via the Official Journal of the European Union process for its tender exercise for the next generation of track-works contracts — worth up to £5 billion over 10 years, starting in 2019.

Network Rail is currently spending £130 million every single week on improvements through the Railway Upgrade Plan, including maintaining and renewing Britain’s 20,000 miles of track.

The contracts for this PIN will cover the development, design and delivery of ‘plain line and switches’, as well as crossings and associated infrastructure works.

Three alliances will be formed between Network Rail and consortia comprising a minimum of one construction contractor and one designer.

The pre-qualification period for the tender is expected to start in May; it will be preceded by a supplier engagement briefing for interested suppliers on Monday 23 April.