Contractors deny blame for Xmas rail fiasco

Several contractors have rallied against Network Rail after it claimed they were on site at delayed West Coast Main Line works during the Christmas period.

The rail operator released the names of all contractors working on the delayed London-Glasgow route - Bechtel, Atkins, Electrack Installations, Jarvis, Kent PHK, Nuttall, Scott Wilson, Telenet and Colais Rail - which was thrown into chaos last week due to overrunning engineering work at Rugby.

Contract Journal (CJ) reported many of the named firms as denying any involvement with the overrunning work - finally completed four days late - many of whom now fear being "tarred with the same brush" as the guilty parties as a Network Rail investigation into over-runs continues.

The paper quoted one as saying: "It's outrageous. There was a massive amount of effort committed to the job from a lot of contractors. My guys in particular have been working 24/7." Another told CJ: "Somebody's got to carry the can and it sounds like Network Rail is trying to spread the blame around the industry."

Atkins issued a statement confirming that although it was at Rugby over Christmas, its work was limited to signalling and was completed to schedule. Nuttall told CJ the only work it had done was further north in Litchfield. Scott Wilson told the paper it was not on call over Christmas and Clough Smith Rail denied involvement.

Principal contractor Jarvis told Construction News (CN) that it was only working on the main line station and not the overhead line - the reason given for the cause of the delay. Both CN and CJ reported overhead line contractor ETI as unavailable for comment, while Colais Rail and Kent PHK declined to respond to CN's questions.

A Network Rail spokeswoman told CJ its investigation prevented it from saying which of the contractors was to blame for the delays. Its attention is now focused on US project manager Bechtel, which is scheduled to meet with Network Rail CEO Iain Coucher this week.

Looking elsewhere for an explanation for the upgrade delays, Building magazine reported that a row between Network Rail and engineering agencies over wages may have contributed.

It said the rail operator had refused to take on extra workers at high wages over Christmas, despite the threat of a skills shortage. Unions told Building that the anticipated skills shortage meant labour agencies were charging up to £1,400 a shift.

Network Rail is likely to get a heavy fine from the Office of Rail Regulation for the fiasco.