Mott MacDonald and WSP appointed to Network Rail’s Northern Powerhouse Rail Development and Design Partnership Framework

Mott MacDonald, in partnership with WSP (MWJV) has been appointed by Network Rail to the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) Development and Design Partnership Framework (DDPR). The milestone appointment will support the transformation of the North of England’s economy by providing efficient rail connectivity between the region’s economic centres.

The £300m framework will provide vital support for the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) which outlines the rail infrastructure investments in the Midlands and the North of England over the next 30 years. As part of this framework, WSP and Mott MacDonald will play a pivotal role in delivering the design stages of the NPR core network, including new high-speed lines and major route upgrades connecting cities such as Liverpool, York, Leeds and Bradford.

Under the framework, the Mott MacDonald-WSP joint venture, supported by Costain as its strategic construction partner, will focus on developing solutions for key project stages, from initial design concepts to detailed engineering. The first contract awarded will focus on improvements to the York (Colton Junction) to Newcastle route, with future phases addressing broader regional connectivity.

Tony O’Toole, managing director of rail (UK and Europe) at Mott MacDonald, said: “We’re pleased to be once-again be working closely with Network Rail on the development and rollout of Northern Powerhouse Rail, alongside our partners at WSP and Costain. Our deep-rooted commitment to the North of England, combined with our collective local expertise, positions us perfectly to improve connectivity and drive economic growth across the region”.

With the firms’ experience and expertise in rail systems, environmental consultancy and project management, the MWJV team with Costain is well placed to identify opportunities in how this can be achieved to benefit NR, the DfT and, most importantly, the passenger and freight customers.

MWJV will take a leadership role in promoting safe works whilst ensuring cost certainty and constructability in delivery, paving the way for the Northern Powerhouse Rail initiative to become a reality and create a connected, thriving region.