Arcadis appointed to support Digital Railway programme

Network Rail has appointed Arcadis as a programme partner (systems) to work with its existing Digital Railway team.  

Arcadis will be supported by Ramboll to help shape the Digital Railway programme ready for implementation, delivering a range of services including technical leadership; engineering management; project management; stakeholder engagement; risk management; business change and industry training; data and asset management. The contract is for an initial 12 month period, with the option to extend to two years. 

As programme partner, Arcadis will be leading the development of the Digital Railway toolkit. This is a set of requirements, specifications, processes, and competency and training requirements that will support the potential roll-out of the Digital Railway on a number of strategic routes across the network. Arcadis will work with the route teams, train and freight operating companies, rolling stock companies, industry supply chain and other stakeholders to develop candidate schemes for digital rail. Arcadis will also support the preparation of outline business cases to inform the next funding and regulatory period, known as CP6.  

Digital modernisation of the network will involve removing fixed lineside signals and replacing them with in-cab signalling. Arcadis will be drawing on experience from across Europe, including partnering with ProRail in the Netherlands where European Train Control Systems (ETCS) technology is widely implemented, and working with the Ramboll team who have been delivery partner for Banedanmark over the past decade on the Danish re-signalling programme.  

Arcadis will also be spearheading the creation and set-up of the Digital Railway Academy to identify future training requirements and ensure the supply chain is equipped to respond to Network Rail’s long-term vision.

Chris Pike, UK Rail Sector director at Arcadis, said: “We are looking forward to working in partnership with Network Rail and its other partners to support this transformational scheme. The Digital Railway is a natural evolution for the rail industry but it will have a revolutionary impact on the network by increasing capacity; improving punctuality, safety and resilience; and significantly enhancing the passenger experience. Recognising the tangible benefit that rail digitisation has already had across Europe, this programme will keep Britain at the leading edge of the rail industry and will contribute substantially to increasing growth and productivity right across the country.”