In the UK the privatisation of railways in 1994 led to opportunities for maintenance and construction work for contractors who took over the management of the British Rail zones. Whilst in the early days there were good profits to be made with little risk, as years passed "de-escalator" clauses on the agreed prices required the contractors to provide management economies to maintain profit margins.
The client, Railtrack, continued to employ working practices which pre-dated privatisation and the climate changed for the contractors in trying to meet Government targets for increases in the use of the rail network whilst facing budgetary constraints.
Contractors then required the expertise which Leach Group brought from similar financial problem solving in the wider construction industry. This led to Leach Group becoming involved on a number of projects both in the UK and overseas.
A selection of Leach Group Rail Sector experience:
- Infrastructure: Sidcup
- Signalling: Bristol Temple Meads
- Electrification: Bulgaria
- Viaducts/Bridges: Baswich, London, Bromford
- Underground: London
- Renewals: Derby, Midlands
- Customer Services: Birmingham
- Maintenance: East Coast, West Coast, Anglia, Kent, South, Wessex
- Stations: Birmingham New Street, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff Central, Surbiton, Puerto Rico
