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| Source: | Find a Tender Service (FTS) |
| Notice Type: | Award notice |
| Buyer: | NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED |
| Main Category: | Works |
| Procurement Method: | Direct award |
| Method Rationale: | Engaging a supplier other than the East West Rail Alliance (EWRA) for this requirement, which is an extension of ongoing design services and works, would result in Network Rail receiving works and services which are different from and/or incompatible with those currently being developed and integrated with the MVLCW, and that incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties: - The design services and works are an extension of ongoing MVLCW design development, access planning, consents, staging, timetable modelling, train path development, rail access strategy, rail signalling systems design, closure strategy, and physical interface management across the Marston Vale corridor and, they depend on continuous integration of the existing works and the required works which are the subject of this Notice. Given the overlapping design and delivery timeframes between the existing requirements and the new work, the remit requires integration of the MVLCW delivery plan with the wider railway works to minimise technical incompatibility, achieve design integration and manage delivery risks through interface studies, constructability validation, and coordinated staging plans. The difference in timing and compatibility would create disproportionate technical difficulties for Network Rail to manage. The network requires a near-term operational response to address network demand and without the successful completion and efficient integration of this work Network Rail would be required to operate a railway through a period of sharply increased demand without the planned capacity, service uplift, staging logic and supporting infrastructure. - A new supplier would necessarily introduce different programme assumptions, design integration processes, interface management arrangements, and delivery sequencing. In practice, a separate supplier stepping into this live, interdependent delivery environment to coordinate effectively with the existing MVLCW supplier would create major interface risk, duplication of effort, resource and cost, delay in decision-making, and loss of programme efficiency. This would include duplication in critical documents such as WPP, CDM plan and engineering management plans which would be disproportionately inefficient and import more risks and complexities as well as additional overarching integration documents and additional duties. For engineering assurance, this would result in extensive progressive assurance plans, due to designs being developed at different stages and multiple design logs and risk assessments. With a new supplier, Network Rail would introduce higher safety and technical risks where two different suppliers are working in the same geographic area and delivering scope which cannot clearly separate the responsibilities and accountabilities for each supplier. The EWRA is already embedded in that interface and through asset protection design reviews and is therefore providing an integrated planning capability that would be difficult and inefficient to replicate through an additional supplier. - A change in supplier would introduce non-compatibility between the current MVLCW BFO1B track restoration work and final state BFO1B to Fenny Stratford double tracking work. This incompatibility would lead to abortive works. With respect to signalling design, a new supplier would either introduce duplication of and inconsistent design parameters for alteration to signalling interlocking and control systems between current level crossing work and the scoped relock and recontrol of signalling systems or be solely reliant on a multi stage approach involving abortive works and unnecessary staging. Any overlapping design agreement for major signalling work – including the design, construction and testing with re-signalling, recontrols and relocking’s would cause disproportionate difficulties for Network Rail. Any risk delay to achieving the MVLCW works would also delay the enabling design, consents, seasonal works, access arrangements and physical interfaces on which the railway enhancements depend - A different contractor would introduce the risk of delay to the new works and MVLCW itself caused by the overlap in design, planning arrangements and approvals from common interfacing parties and technical difficulties would arise because Network Rail would also be without the enabling works needed to support efficient construction, coordinated possessions, and the transition into the later access, closure and upgrade phases. That would create significant operational stress, including constrained timetable options, reduced resilience during disruption, greater pressure on existing stations and route interfaces, and increased complexity in maintaining assets while preserving future compatibility with the later Marston Vale interventions. It would also increase the risk of repeated access to the railway, abortive or duplicated works, and inefficient maintenance of assets that were intended to be altered, relocated or integrated through MVLCW and the follow-on enhancements. |
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Awarded to (3 suppliers)
| Award value: | £650,000,000 |
| Award status: | Pending |
The requirement consists of a combination of design services and construction works which are needed to increase the rail network’s operational capacity for progressive delivery of benefits from early 2030s and to support the rail networks’ early operational response to a new theme park which is set to open in 2031. The indicative high-level scope relating to this transparency notice refers only to the Marston Vale Line between Bletchley and Stewartby, and on the OXD line between Oxford Parkway and Bletchley, and Milton Keynes Central Station design services and works (subject to funding and any other required internal and external approvals): - Undertaking the design for critical rail systems upgrade and required station packages on the Martson Vale and OXD lines to support a higher capacity railway as far as Stewartby. - Re-signalling works, track upgrades including double tracking between Bletchley and Fenny Stratford and a new layout at Stewartby, passing loops, electrification, level crossing closures, bridge and underpass works, station works at Winslow, Bletchley and Stewartby, earthworks and drainage resilience. - Discharge of new planning consents under the EWRco Development Consent Order (DCO) and integration with TWAO conditions and commitments in support of the delivery of the Marston Vale Line Core Works (MVLCW). - Delivery of enabling works such as site clearance, compound set up, Flood Storage Areas (CFSA), Environmental Compensation Sites (ECS) and utility diversions - Integration of timetabling modelling between MVLCW and this scope. This includes both service outcomes and temporary arrangements including possession planning. It is currently anticipated, based on the current information, that the estimated final costs of these works and services will amount to a maximum of £650m (excluding VAT). This scope of this Transparency Notice does not include several of the final station arrangements on the Martson Vale signalling area, or the option for a train maintenance depot on the OXD lines. The requirements for this will be procured separately. Information on the wider East West Rail project can be found at East West Rail | Project overview. The in scope design services and works will require significant coordination and integration with the ongoing works currently being delivered by the East West Rail Alliance (EWRA) on the Marston Vale Line, referred to as the Marston Vale Line Core Works (MVLCW). This includes design integration, as well as the management and delivery of the works on the same site, at the same time and, on the same rail systems, therefore Network Rail consider this an extension of existing work. An overview of the existing MVLCW scope includes: - Multiple level crossing closures and bridge work (including BF01) on the Marston Vale Line - Signalling and control system alterations associated with level crossing works and associated track works - Other coordinated bridge works - Timetable development works - Options for safety enhancements at stations including tactile edges, extension of existing station lighting, announcement, wayfinding and customer information systems if required - Resilience infrastructure works including track, drainage and earthworks
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Book a free consultation →| Tender Status: | Closed |
| Estimated Value (ex. VAT): | Not specified |
| Release Date: | 14 October 2026 |
| Application Deadline: | — |
| Contract Start Date: | — |
| Contract End Date: | — |
| Contract Duration: | NaN years |
| Procurement ID (OCID): | ocds-h6vhtk-078703 |
| Notice Reference: | 096761-2026 |