Jarvis in contention for south Wales rail scheme

Jarvis is included in the line-up for a unique rail deal in south Wales.
Six contractors are set to pick up the tender paperwork later this month for the £30m-plus scheme that involves opening up a disused freight line for passenger use.
The contenders are: Jarvis Facilities, Amec, Amey Rail, Balfour Beatty, Mowlem, and the now-familiar joint venture between Hochtief and Abergavenny outfit Alun Griffiths.
One insider said: "Frankly, I'm surprised that Jarvis is on the tender list. The company is, of course, in financial trouble and then there is the issue of its association with the Hatfield rail disaster. But I suppose the clients know what they are doing."
The rail regeneration scheme is the brainchild of three Welsh councils. Blaenau Gwent is
heading up the project, together with Caerphilly and Newport local authorities.
The deal involves reopening the existing freight line between Ebbw Vale and the South West Main Line to passenger services.
The winning contractor for the design and construct deal should be known in December, with work on the 29km scheme starting on site during the early part of 2005. Completion is due within a year.
A Blaenau Gwent spokesman said: "As far as we know, this is the first time local authorities have taken over a project from National Rail, but the line will be handed back to the company when it is completed."
He added: "Without our intervention, and the help of a European Union grant towards a third of the costs, the line would never be reopened."
The scope of the work includes upgrading the existing single-track line, constructing six new stations together with associated infrastructure, modifications to signalling and upgrading bridges.