AtkinsRéalis has been appointed by Network Rail as the delivery partner for the Wales and Western region.

Under the Wales and Western Control Period 7 delivery support services framework (Lot 1) - valued at up to £9m over three years with an option to extend to £15m over a further two years - AtkinsRéalis will provide multi-disciplinary delivery support including commercial management, project management, programme controls, planning and risk management.

Network Rail is investing £5.2bn across the region during CP7 (2024-2029) to operate, maintain and renew the railway network. The framework provides Network Rail with access to specialist technical capability and capacity to support the full breadth of the region's work portfolio.

AtkinsRéalis will support Network Rail with enhancements and renewals, including stations, major renewals and other complex capital investment projects, including the MetroWest programme.

Scott Kelley, managing director - complex projects, AtkinsRéalis UK and Ireland, said: “Wales and Western is a region of strategic significance, keeping people and businesses across the south and west of the UK moving. We will draw on our deep expertise in project delivery and programme and commercial management, alongside our specialist SME network, to support Network Rail to improve network performance and long-term resilience. This appointment builds on our relationship with Network Rail that stretches back decades, and we look forward to delivering collaboratively through Control Period 7 and beyond.”

Wales and Western spans more than 2,700 miles of railway across Wales, the Thames Valley, the West of England and the South West Peninsula, serving more than 120 million passengers annually and moving 26 million tonnes of freight every year. The region connects economic centres including London, Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham, and directly serves London Heathrow.

The appointment builds on AtkinsRéalis' project and programme management support for Network Rail, including its recent appointment, alongside Arcadis, as programme partner on the £10.7bn Transpennine Route Upgrade

The framework replaces the expiring Professional Services Framework.