The region is hoping for a step-change in the way renewals are delivered on its network, making the most of modern methods of working and technology and collaboration-focused contracting.

The fresh delivery approach, known as the Southern Integrated Delivery model, will involve a switch to integrated and collaborative Project 13 principals of delivery for an estimated total work programme of up to £9.6bn over Control Periods 7 and 8.

This partnership approach will be used to deliver all categories of railway asset work including signalling & telecoms, track, buildings & civils, electrification and plant and minor works.

Building and civils is already out to tender with the search for separate signalling and track business partners on Kent Sussex and Wessex routes completing the shake-up.

Buildings and civils will account for 30% – 45% of spend, track 15% – 25%, signalling 5% – 15%, electrification and plant 5% -10% while minor works will constitute 20%- 30% of the overall estimated value.

Successful bidders will initially sign into a development phase agreement, scheduled to commence in January 2023 and run up until April 2024.

Following this, the partners will sign into a multi-party SID Agreement based on an Network Rail’s alliance form of contract.

Network Rail will host a virtual market briefing event on Thursday 20 January 2022, from 10.00 to 12:00 to brief interested firms.

To register for the event email the attendee’s name, organisation and contact number no later than 13 January. Title email “Southern Integrated Delivery (SID) – Market Briefing – Signalling & Track”.