Rail engineering groups have denied reports that they are considering mounting a bid to run Britain's rail network, after Railtrack went into receivership last month.
The Financial Times reported that Balfour Beatty, Jarvis, Serco, Amec, Amey, First Engineering, Grant Rail, and GTRM — which hold operations and maintenance contracts with Railtrack — were 'in discussions about a plan that could be put to the government within weeks'. But the companies contacted by TheFB said the plans were news to them.

A Balfour Beatty spokeswoman said she knew of no such plans and added 'we don't comment on speculation and rumour'.

Similarly an Amey spokesman quashed the rumours. 'There's no foundation in that at all', he said.

Jarvis and Amec also said that there was no basis in rumours that the companies planned to bid for Railtrack.

Jarvis said that a decision to get involved with Railtrack would be unpopular with its shareholders.

Carillion-owned GTRM said no plans had been discussed, while Serco spokesman Kevin Johnson said the company was 'interested in opportunities', but stressed it has not considered bidding to run the rail network.

The article said that the proposed scheme would see the engineering companies own the track, signals and stations and be given long-term contracts for operations, maintenance and renewals.

A German investment bank and a French rail operator have also been added to the mix in the last month.

West LB has been in talks with Railtrack administrator Ernst & Young and is the frontrunner to buy the operator, while SNCF has said that it is not interested in taking over Railtrack as it presents 'no strategic interest'.

Source

The Facilities Business