Balfour Beatty has secured a new contract worth over £40 million to maintain Network Rail's 'Stoneblowers' track maintenance machines.

The four-year deal will see the company provide the operations and maintenance to 14 operational machines; 11 Plain Line machines allocated to specific geographical areas throughout the UK rail network and three Multi-Purpose machines which operate across all areas of the network.

Early last year, an order for seven new Multi-Purpose machines was placed by Network Rail to replace its ageing Plain Line fleet. All seven Multi-Purpose machines will be delivered during the term of the contract with the first one entering service in 2020.

-- Advertisement --

Overall, Balfour Beatty will be responsible for providing the crews required to operate the new Multi-Purpose machines on delivery, with recruitment scheduled to commence early in 2019. The contractor will also assist Network Rail and the Original Equipment Manufacturer with the commissioning of the new machines.

Around 140 people will be employed on the contract at peak, including four apprentices and graduates. The contract will deliver a minimum of 2,800 maintenance shifts per year across the UK rail network and includes the option to extend for an additional year.

Mark Bullock, Managing Director, Balfour Beatty's rail business, said: "The award of this contract to maintain and operate Network Rail's fleet of Stoneblowers demonstrates the technical rail expertise Balfour Beatty has gained over many generations of working on the railway.

"The contract is an exciting one for us as it not only includes the operation and maintenance of the current fleet, but also the introduction of seven new Multi-Purpose machines. We are delighted to be operating more plant for Network Rail on a national basis."

(LM)