Network Rail has announced that it has awarded a contract worth £257m to VP Plc for the hire, supply and maintenance of portable plant.
The contract is for an initial period of six years from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2026. There is an option to extend this until 31 March 2028.
The contract includes all small plant for the railway, such as rail drills, torque wrenches, chain saws etc.
The 13 agreements cover the maintenance and repair of 28,000 items of Network Rail small plant as well as the hire and supply of other pieces of small plant.
Benefits of this contract include access to more than 235 local depots, reducing delivery times; enhanced service levels; a wear-and-tear damage waiver and Bluetooth tracking of all items.
Cost savings of £2.5m are forecast.
Additionally, there will be 42 Level 3 NVQ apprenticeships in Construction Civil Engineering: Plant Maintenance created with VP Plc.
What did the officials say?
Garry Pyne, lead sourcing manager, Network Rail, said:
“The plant now available for hire is innovative and modern, more reliable and cheaper to maintain. It is better for the environment and its lower vibration levels mean it is safer for our employees.
“The battery-operated vegetation clearance kit is much quieter, which is better for people living by the railway.
“We are also rolling out Bluetooth tracking on desirable items, so they are less likely to be lost or stolen. There's a real opportunity and incentive to switch to hiring new small plant and start to phase out our older, owned plant.”
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