TransPennine Route seeks £100m programme partner

TRU runs on a whole industry operating model, where all parties are together as a single team to improve transportation across the North of England. 

This ‘Team TRU’ approach aims to breaking down traditional boundaries between partners – Network Rail, Department for Transport, train operating companies, routes and project delivery teams.

The £2 billion railway electrification programme aims to transform journeys across the Pennines, connecting areas like Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.  

The scope covers more than 70 miles of railway that serve 23 stations, traversing 285 bridges and viaducts, passing through six miles of tunnels and 29 level crossings. 

TRU is looking for a programme partner to collaborate with Network Rail to form a ‘high performing’, integrated programme delivery team.

This team will work towards common objectives under a shared management plan with key aspects of the team’s roles including:  

• Organisation and management of projects on the programme 
• Effective integration of all parts of the programme
• Single point for delivery by due date and within budget 
• Managing time, cost, quality and safety  

Due to the scale of TRU, the programme partner would be required to provide resource across multiple key areas of TRU. 

These key areas include:

• Project management
• Programme integration
  Data analytics
  Schedule monitoring
• Risk management
• Strategic advisory/leadership

Jo Griffiths, TRU programme director, said:  “TRU is really moving ahead now with over 90 per cent of the programme in design and delivery. 

“People can see the work across our route each day and a programme partner is key in helping us deliver our goals on this transformative programme for train travel across the north.”  

In last year’s Autumn budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves committed to electrification in full for the TRU from York to Manchester. 

The first part of the line to run electric train services is now up and running between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge with plans for further electrification at Holgate near York later this year. 

In September last year, BAM and Amey secured a £800 million contract to deliver the next phase of work for a range of multi-disciplinary railway upgrades between Huddersfield and Leeds.

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