BAM Nuttall has been selected to refurbish a rail depot for Stadler Rail Services UK in Liverpool.

The contractor will redevelop an existing depot in Birkinhead North as well as build a new modern depot facility in Kirkdale.

The £20 million project will include developing washing and stabling facilities at the Kirkdale facility, as well as a maintenance shed with run-through tracks, office space, and a simulator suit. In addition, the scheme has been designed to allow for the depot to be extended for 80-metre long trainsets.

At Birkenhead North, the existing facility will be upgraded with a new washing facility, making it possible to clean trains both on the Wirral line (Birkenhead North) and the Northern line (Kirkdale). Once the Kirkdale depot is ready to carry out maintenance work, this depot will shift its focus to overnight servicing and cleaning.

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Overall, the project is part of a manufacturing and maintenance deal won by Stadler to maintain a new fleet of 52 metro trains for Merseytravel and Merseyrail for the Liverpool City Region. Completion is scheduled for 2019.

Alan Cox, Pre-Construction Director of BAM Nuttall said: "We have been working collaboratively with Stadler during the tender stage of this exciting programme. From our Warrington office we have been able to provide locally based staff to support the bid and develop the programme.

"We will continue with this locally based approach throughout the delivery phase and also provide opportunity for our northern based supply chain. We look forward to delivering this key piece of infrastructure for Stadler and Merseytravel and supporting the local economy."

Jürg Gygax, Executive Vice President of Stadler responsible for the Service Division, said: "Having just signed the contract with Merseytravel to provide a new generation of metro trains for Liverpool, we are very pleased to already be able to confirm BAM Nuttall as the primary subcontractor for the depot works. Working closely with their Warrington office, this deal underlines our commitment to the UK - it will help the majority of the overall value of our contracts retained in the UK and the North West, both in the supply chain and in the employment of engineering staff. With the modern maintenance facilities these works will provide, Stadler will be able to maintain the fleet to the highest standards of reliability and customer presentation."

(LM/MH)