Purpose

Approval to spend £1,000,000.00 on new Switches & Crossings trackwork was provided on 27 June 2025.
Several unforeseen changes to Scope have occurred as part of design refinement, with the two highest value being:

• Requirement for provision of plain-line rail through PS10-PS11, with the ordered S&C unit to be saved for redeployment at a more strategically-useful location. Cost approx. £40,831.62.

• Requirement for Under Bearer Pads (UBPs) to protect ballast from increased forces associated with the concrete bearers and sleepers. Cost approx. £100,000.

These unforeseen changes to Scope mean Supplier costs will exceed the original £1m approval limit.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to increase spend with the Supplier up to a value of £1,150,000.00 (an increase of £150,000.00 upon previous approval).

Decision

Approve spend of up to £1,150,000.00 with the Supplier (an increase of £150,000.00 upon previous approval).

Alternative options considered

• Approve spend of up to £1,150,000.00 with the Supplier (an increase of £150,000.00 upon previous approval).

• Refuse additional spend. To keep cost below the already approved £1,000,000.00 spend, Under Bearer Pads would not be included as part of the manufactured trackwork. Without UBPs, a full ballast renewal would be required, rather than the planned partial renewal / skim dig. This would cost an estimated £450,000.00 in
additional Contractor fees.