The UK’s West Coast Main Line is our busiest mixed traffic railway (responsible for 43% of Britain’s UK freight market and over 75 million rail journeys a year). It’s the principal UK railway artery serving London, the Midlands, the North West and Scotland. Despite being the most heavily used mainline in Europe, the line had not seen any significant investment since the 1960s.

The scale

£30m signalling contract at Lichfield during 2008-9.

The challenge

Critical works involving Abacus included the four tracking of Lichfield Trent Valley, a major railway scheme to widen the West Coast Main Railway Line to four tracks between Tamworth and Lichfield for Network Rail. Abacus provided commercial management and quantity surveying services to Balfour Beatty Rail for the £30m signalling contract at Lichfield during 2008 and 2009.

Delivery

The signalling project was initially delayed, but working collaboratively with Network Rail, the project team at Balfour Beatty was able to successfully deliver the signalling and associated telecoms, power and civils works on time and to budget.

Abacus resources were embedded with the Balfour team on site at Lichfield, giving critical commercial support. This included advice on collaborative, proactive dispute resolution.

Such input was key in mitigating against a confrontational situation that had developed. The robust but collaborative support provided by Abacus enabled a successful sign-off on the final account to the satisfaction of Network Rail and Abacus’ client.

“Abacus provided practical expertise in post-contract administration that was instrumental in the delivery of the project on time and within budget.”
Lead Project Manager – Balfour Beatty Rail

Our work included

• Commercial management
• Contract administration
• Quantity surveying
• Claims dispute resolution
• Subcontractor and supply chain management