It is now on the hunt for partners to deliver the £1.4bn Midlands Rail Hub programme of major works across the West, Central and East Midlands.

To deliver the programme it aims to create an Alliance set to run for eight years, first concentrating on works around Birmingham Moor Street.

Acting as client, Network Rail is seeking main alliance partners to deliver £1bn non-signalling and £350m signalling works.

The scope is currently divided into eight interventions across the three sections:

• West & Central Midlands interventions at Snow Hill, King’s Norton to Barnt Green and Birmingham Bordesley to Moor Street are in the process of securing final funding approval.

Works within scope include the design and build of: new platforms and sidings; up to two new chords into Birmingham Moor Street; widening of existing viaduct; power supply upgrades; new freight loops; new overhead line equipment and various signalling works including the re-modelling of existing layouts.

Additional interventions, subject to funding decisions and design development,

• West & Central interventions at Worcester to Hereford and Stoke Works Junction
• East Midlands interventions at Water Orton and Nuneaton to Wigston.

MRH is intended to be delivered through an Alliance delivery model with the partners working under a NEC4-style Alliance Contract.

Firms have until 24 April to submit applications with tenders issued to successful firms towards the end of June.

Further details are available from the procurement site.