Joint venture appointed to deliver major rail project

JOINT venture Skanska BAM Nuttall has been awarded the contract to deliver the Ordsall Chord project in Manchester, part of Network Rail’s £1bn-plus upgrade.

The ambitious scheme will increase connectivity across towns and cities in the North and play a key role in boosting the Government’s much-talked-about Northern Powerhouse initiative.

It will include construction of key structures in Manchester city centre and will helping ease a rail bottleneck to the north of Piccadilly station, enabling faster, more frequent services to run across the north of England.

Skanska managing director James Richardson said: “This is a significant part of Network Rail’s plan to stimulate economic growth in the north of England and Skanska is delighted to be part of the alliance delivery team helping to achieve this goal.”

BAM Nuttall rail sector direct Alan Cox said: “This continues a long association we have with the railway in the north west and we are delighted to be creating such an important new link with an iconic structure that will enrich the railway heritage and passenger experience in the whole region.”

Network Rail’s senior programme manager Mike Heywood said: “This is an exciting time for the rail industry and the completion of the Ordsall Chord will help boost the local and wider economy.

“Within this alliance of organisations, we have a wide range of skills and experience to make the Chord a reality and deliver the service all rail passengers deserve.”

A contract has been signed alongside AmeySersa, Siemans, Skanska and BAM Nuttall who will be responsible for building the Ordsall Chord.