GLOBAL CONSULTANCY TO SUPPORT NORTHERN POWERHOUSE RAIL

19th June 2020

A global design, engineering and project management consultancy has been appointed to support the engineering development of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).

Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been named as an infrastructure delivery partner and will work alongside Transport for the North (TfN), the Department for Transport, and partners Network Rail and HS2 Ltd to develop the strategic outline case and phasing options strategy for NPR.

The IDP role adds to the specialist engineering services already being provided by Atkins, which include tunnelling, electrification and track alignment design, and the rail modelling and appraisal partner role which is examining the anticipated impacts on travel behaviours and patterns.

Julie Hurley, strategic rail client director at Atkins, said: “The NPR programme is much more than an infrastructure project – it has the potential to be a social and economic catalyst for the region, as we look to level up the economy and opportunities across the UK.

“Having worked closely with TfN for the last three years in developing the plans for NPR, we now look forward to advancing the programme as part of an integrated delivery team.”

NPR is set to comprise a mix of new and significantly improved railway lines to strengthen regional, national and international connectivity, free up capacity on existing network and speed up freight movements.

It is expected to provide more reliable commutes, quicker journeys and easier access to new employment and leisure opportunities, as well as unlocking place improvement valued at up to £15bn and taking 64,000 car trips per day off the road.

Earlier this month (June 2020), consultancy and construction company Mace was appointed to lead the programme support office for the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) programme.

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19th June 2020