£64m Transpennine Route Upgrade contract up for grabs

Network Rail has issued a procurement notice for work to upgrade the railway between Stalybridge and Huddersfield, including adding a third line from Standedge to Gledholt.

Those interested in the £64m contract, excluding VAT, should fill out a procurement questionnaire by 10 July. From the applicants, four will be invited to tender. These four will be judged primarily on their technical abilities (70%). Price will carry a 30% weight.

Network Rail is aiming to award the contract by the end of March2027. The contract would last seven years, from 30 April 2027 to 27 April 2035.

The programme of work includes providing W12 gauge clearance throughout three tunnels, signalling work, full route electrification, and making required improvements to the four stations along the route.

You can read the tender notice by searching identifier 2026/S 000-053834 on the government’s Find a Tender portal.