Five firms are in the running to oversee Network Rail’s £3bn programme of work on Crossrail

On Wednesday, the track manager met with Balfour Beatty, Bechtel, Mace, Atkins and Bovis for a pre-tender briefing on the job, it has emerged. The contract is to carry out all work apart from the extensive tunnelling for the London linkage scheme, including electrification of the route, and junction, station, platform and bridge rebuilding or remodelling.

The team will also oversee improvements to Reading station to make it “Crossrail-ready” in case the scheme is extended that far at a later date.

The news follows Bechtel, Laing O’Rourke Holdings, a joint venture between Capita Symonds and Northcroft, and joint venture Legacy 3 being shortlisted for delivering Crossrail this week.