A Network Rail and AtkinsR茅alis integrated project team upgrade signalling and telecoms infrastructure along 43 kilometres of railway near Portsmouth, spanning 11 stations, 10 interlockings and four level crossings.
The three-year project will replace obsolete systems and target a significant reduction in signalling-related delays, improving reliability and performance for passengers and freight operators.
Scott Kelley, managing director of complex projects at AtkinsR茅alis, said: 鈥淭his project will significantly improve network performance throughout Wessex, benefiting passengers and freight operators. AtkinsR茅alis brings deep expertise in rail signalling, covering both conventional and digital technologies, and the scale of this award reflects Network Rail's confidence in our capability to deliver.
聽鈥淥ur track record in the region, combined with our commitment to working collaboratively with the supply chain including SMEs, will support successful delivery of this complex programme, improving reliability for communities and businesses across the region.鈥�
聽The Wessex Route connects London with Portsmouth and Southampton. The route is part of South Western Railway & Network Rail Wessex's 拢2bn investment programme to modernise the railway across the southwest into London between 2024 and 2029.
The project involves the relock and recontrol of the Havant Area Signalling Centre on the Wessex Route to the Basingstoke Regional Operating Centre. Work has begun with engineering, procurement and construction now underway.
The project will be delivered by Network Rail and AtkinsR茅alis within the Southern Integrated Delivery (SID) programme under the Southern Renewals Enterprise (SRE). The contract was awarded through Network Rail's 拢4 billion Train Control Systems Framework, on which AtkinsR茅alis secured a place in September 2024.