Stafford Area Improvement Programme (SAIP)
Stafford, UK (between Crewe and Stafford, including Norton Bridge) · 2010-2016 (Phase 1 completed March 2014, Phase 2 commissioned August 2015, Phase 3 key commissioning March 2016, project completed later 2016) · £250m
The judgement call
Account-gated at launch* The project was delivered using the UK rail sector's first 'pure construction alliance' model, fostering a 'one project, one organisation' mentality. * Strategic use of a new railhead (siding) at Little Bridgeford to deliver materials by train, reducing road traffic. * The programme facilitated the introduction of new timetables and created capacity for additional trains per hour between London, the North West, Manchester, Birmingham, and freight services. * The Norton Bridge project was subject to a Development Consent Order application, highlighting its national significance.
Key engineering challenges
* Removing a major bottleneck on the West Coast Main Line to increase capacity for passenger and freight services. * Constructing a grade-separated junction (flyover) at Norton Bridge, including new railway and structures, with significant environmental mitigation. * Implementing a 'pure construction alliance' model for collaborative delivery. * Replacing life-expired signalling and power supplies while maintaining railway operations.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Network Rail
- Lead contractor
- Staffordshire Alliance (Atkins, Laing O’Rourke, VolkerRail, Network Rail)
- Lead designers
- Atkins (part of Staffordshire Alliance)
- Project type
- upgrade
- Scale
- Linespeed increase from 75mph to 100mph on 'slow' lines; new freight loop; 6 miles of new 100mph railway; 11 new structures (bridges); 4 river diversions; 10km of new track; new siding at Little Bridgeford.
- Disciplines
- Civil; structural; railway engineering; signalling; telecommunications; highways; environmental
- Standards & frameworks
- Network Rail standards
Sources: * VolkerRail (Undated), "Stafford Area Improvement Programme", https://www.volkerrail.co.uk/en/projects/stafford-area-improvement-programme * Railway Gazette (2014), "Pure construction alliance for Stafford upgrade", https://www.railwaygazette.com/infrastructure/pure-construction-alliance-for-stafford-upgrade/37823.article * Network Rail Media Centre (2015), "New siding at £250m Stafford rail development will cut deliveries by road", https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/new-siding-at-gbp-250m-stafford-rail-development-will-cut-deliveries-by-road