Ashurst advised Hitachi Rail in relation to the contract award of the Thameslink contract for Traffic Management in partnership with Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (Network Rail).
Hitachi Rail will supply Network Rail with a traffic management solution providing the framework for a blue print to support the roll out of a full digital railway. This marks an important milestone in enabling railway operations to be flexible in meeting passenger demand, managing day to day operation of the railway, and supporting recovery in the event of a delay or disruption.
Working with Hitachi Rail, Ashurst advised on the traffic management competition and contract negotiation including bringing together the implementation works and services phases of the Hitachi technical solution, and the possibility of options for the South East and London North Eastern programme to reach agreement within agreed timescales.
Finalising the contract with Network Rail, Karen Boswell, Managing Director of Hitachi Rail, said:
"This is a fantastic achievement for Hitachi Rail in the UK, following on the back of the Class 395 (Javelin) high speed trains in 2009, the InterCity Express Programme (IEP) contract in July 2012 and Abellio's ScotRail contract signed in March this year.
Hitachi Rail is determined to strengthen its business in the UK and I look forward to working with Network Rail to deploy our proven Traffic Management System, which will bring significant benefits to rail customers."
The Ashurst team was led by partner Naomi Horton, assisted by senior associate Jon Turner.
Commenting on the transaction, partner Naomi Horton said: "Traffic management is critical to Great Britain's railways. It has been a privilege to have had the opportunity to apply our expertise and experience in the rail industry in assisting Hitachi Rail in concluding this exciting new partnership with Network Rail. As longstanding legal advisors of Hitachi Rail, we are delighted to see yet another significant achievement for this successful major rail industry player."
