Birse wins Midlands framework contract

Birse Rail has won the largest of the structures framework contracts being let by Railtrack, beating off seven others contenders.

It has secured the Midlands zone framework contract worth more than £75m over three years with an option to extend for a further two years. The deal involves planning, design and construction of a variety of major structures plus repairs and renewals and a programme of embankment strengthening. Structures involved include track, embankment, bridges and signalling. WS Atkins Rail will be Birse's design partner.

The contractor was in pole position as it had been the incumbent in Railtrack's extended arm contract for the area from 1997 in the run up to the switch to framework contracts.

Birse beat a strong team including May Gurney, Nuttall, Carillion, Jackson Civil Engineering, Alfred McAlpine and Mowlem. Some or all may be in competition again soon for the structures framework package for the London north-east region, which comes up for bid shortly. Jackson has won the contract for East Anglia.

The Midlands contract allows Birse to undertake work directly or to act as main contractor managing a specialist supply chain.