UK: Atkins has been appointed as Infrastructure Delivery Partner to support engineering development of the Northern Powerhouse Rail programme.
Atkins will work alongside Transport for the North, the Department for Transport and delivery partners Network Rail and HS2 Ltd to develop the strategic outline case and phasing options strategy for the programme
The IDP contract adds to the specialist engineering services already being provided by Atkins including tunnelling, electrification and track alignment design, as well as the Rail Modelling & Appraisal Partner role which is examining the impact of NPR on travel behaviour and patterns.
The programme to upgrade rail connections across the north of England ‘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’, said Julie Hurley, Strategic Rail Client Director at Atkins on June 18. ‘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.’
