Invensys awarded Network Rail contract, completes Malaysian double tracking

Invensys Rail has been selected by Network Rail to deliver one of Britain's resignalling schemes at London Bridge Station and the approaching railway. This contract, under which will be a series of individual commission contracts, commences in August 2011 and runs through to the completion of the Thameslink project in December 2018. Simon Kirby, Network Rail's director of investment projects, said, "This is a great example of how we are changing the way we work to encourage more innovation, deliver projects in a smarter way and get better value for money. By involving our delivery partners at an early stage, the industry will be able to deliver one of the most complex station, track and signalling projects being undertaken on the railway network in a generation." The scope of Invensys Rail's work will encompass the detailed design, installation, testing and commissioning of signalling and telecoms systems. This includes the introduction of the company's ATO (Automatic Train Operation) and ETCS (European Train Control System) solutions, which will be overlaid in the London Bridge area to enable all train movements to be controlled automatically, delivering 24 trains per hour in each direction on the Thameslink core route at the program's completion in 2018. Commenting on the contract award Invensys Rail's UK Managing Director, Nick Crossfield said, "Naturally we are absolutely delighted to have won this important work, allowing us to remain at the heart of one of Europe's most prestigious and technically challenging rail infrastructure projects. The Thameslink Programme reaches a key milestone in December 2011, when the first 12-car trains begin to run through central London. The transformation of London Bridge station, and associated railway work, will get underway fully in 2013 and is scheduled to be completed in 2018. It will be the final piece of the Thameslink program, which will provide a much-needed capacity boost to cater for increasing passenger numbers. Additionally, Invensys Rail has delivered the first critical phase of the Malaysia's Seremban to Gemas Double Tracking Project in time for planned commencement of the suburban passenger service to Sungai Gadut. The project forms part of the Malaysian Government's RM$3.45 billion (US$1.2 billion) Seremban-Gemas double tracking and electrification project due for completion in December 2012. Phase I included modification and extension of Seremban station, a new station and interlocking at Sungai Gadut and a 10km (6.2 mile) block section between stations which includes the halt of Senawang. Invensys Rail's Regional Manager, Owen Clenick, commented, "The dedication and tenacity of our international teams to deliver the project on time was second to none and shows the lengths that Invensys Rail will go to deliver on time for its customer".