A consortium of PORR UK and Aggregate Industries UK has secured a £260m contract from HS2 (High Speed 2) to design and manufacture the modular track system for the UK’s new high-speed railway.

As part of the contract, the consortium partners will manufacture slab track segments at a new factory near Shepton Mallet in Somerset, creating 500 jobs during the tenure of the contract.

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HS2 procurement and commercial director David Poole said: “Slab track will provide long-term value for money with lower maintenance costs and greater reliability and that’s why I’m pleased that today we are awarding that contract to the PORR consortium.

“This award – and the announcement of the new factory at Somerset – is another example of how HS2 is already supporting companies across the UK, creating jobs and helping the economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic.”

PORR UK and Aggregate Industries UK will manufacture the track, excluding tunnels and certain specialist structures, from London to Crewe, where HS2 joins the existing west coast mainline.

The consortium partners will manufacture concrete slab track segments leveraging a modular construction system, dubbed Slab Track Austria. The construction method is said to reduce maintenance costs and enhance performance compared to traditional ballasted track.

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PORR UK managing director Simon Jukes said: “The PORR Consortium is delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to this major contract and will bring a wealth of technical expertise and experience in high-speed rail and slab track to the HS2 project.

“We are looking forward to working collaboratively with the HS2 team to deliver a world-class sustainable rail infrastructure for the United Kingdom.”

PORR UK stated that a separate track systems contractor will be appointed in 2022. The contractor will be responsible for managing and coordinating the design and installation of the complex rail systems in each section of the route.

It will also be responsible for the installation of the slab track manufactured by the PORR consortium and the interface with signalling and overhead power supply.

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The concrete slab track segments will be manufactured using Slab Track Austria construction system. (Credit: Slab Track Austria)