Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, has been awarded a seven-year contract worth in excess of £115m for the supply, operation and maintenance of Balfour Beatty’s fleet of 13 track maintenance vehicles, known as ‘On Track Machines’ or ‘Tampers’, by Network Rail.

Balfour Beatty will be responsible for delivering tamping shifts across Anglia and South-East routes, which are amongst the most heavily utilised parts of the UK rail network.

The machines undertake maintenance, renewals and upgrade work, ensuring the track is expertly aligned to enable smooth, efficient and safe journeys for all passengers. Tampers maintain the track by hydraulically lifting the track and packing ballast underneath the sleepers to fill voids and realign the tracks.

Mark Bullock, Managing Director, Balfour Beatty’s rail business said, “This award from Network Rail is further evidence of Balfour Beatty’s skills and expertise in rail plant operations. The contract is an important one for both Balfour Beatty and Network Rail as it will ensure the smooth and safe operation of some of the busiest sections of the railway. By operating both Tampers and Stoneblowers for Network Rail, Balfour Beatty is uniquely positioned to offer an integrated track geometry service to the Routes.”

Balfour Beatty will also be introducing at least two New Tampers for this contract, the first of which is expected to be delivered by 2021.