Core Valley Lines Electrification Project
Adey Steel are excited to have secured a 3-year contract to work alongside Amey Infrastructure Wales and Transport for Wales in supporting the electrification of the Welsh Core Valley Lines rail network. The work forms part of the Welsh Government’s flagship metro project, which will bring transformative change to communities throughout Wales. The project is key in the regeneration of the Valley towns, with better transport infrastructure improving the local economy.
Securing the contract involved a 12-month formal tender process through Sell2Wales, in which Adey Steel were successful in securing a place as the primary supplier. A wide range of assessment criteria was used to differentiate potential suppliers with factors such as environmental management, quality measures and community and social value featuring heavily in the consideration.
The contract award is for the supply of Overhead Line Electrification (OLE) structures – which form a key component in the infrastructure improvements that are decarbonising Wales’s railway network. Adey Steel are providing a wide range of OLE structures from the UK Master Series and Series 1 designs including Adapter Plates, Portal Booms, TTC Booms/Masts, STC Masts, SSA Masts, Brackets and Tie Bars.
Due to the current volatility in the steel markets and the consequential supply challenges, 3000 tonnes of raw steel section and plate was secured and vested in advance to protect against price rises and availability concerns. This pre-emptive move was significant in reducing the risk to cost and programme for this critical infrastructure project.
The Metro Project brings a host of benefits to the local community, in the environmental, economic and social sense – with the rail network being used by over 13 million passengers per year. The Valley Lines are a dense rail network, providing crucial connectivity between the settlements in South Wales and important links between communities and key economic areas.
Aside from the obvious social and economic benefits, the improvement provides a key step toward achieving Net Zero 2050 in Wales. The expectation is that the enhancement in speed, capacity and frequency of services running between the Valleys and the Capital will encourage the usage of public transport.
We are incredibly proud to be involved in delivering such a significant project, bringing so much benefit to the local community of South Wales. As a company we recognise the importance of working on projects which help to improve the economic stability and accessibility in the lives of local people. The development of strong partnerships is something we have valued throughout our 97-year history and something we look forward to during the delivery of this project.
If you are interested in partnering with Adey Steel on an upcoming project or framework, get in touch with our teams either via phone: 01509 55 66 77 or email: [email protected].