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Greengauge 21 appoints Systra and MVA Consultancy to advise on high-speed rail strategy

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High-speed rail engineering expert SYSTRA with transport planning specialist MVA Consultancy have been appointed by Greengauge 21 to advise on the strategy for a high-speed rail network for the UK. 

Greengauge 21 today (19 September 2008) announced the formation of a Public Interest Group which will drive forward the programme to carry out the strategic planning for a high-speed rail network.

The role of the Principal Consultant to be carried out by SYSTRA and MVA Consultancy – will include identification of the appropriate strategy, technical feasibility, patronage forecasts, route corridors and business cases for a network of high-speed rail lines.

It will include a full economic evaluation in line with government policy, examining effects on the existing rail network, as well as social, economic and environmental impacts.
The outcome will be a strategy for building a high-speed rail network in Britain.

Information for Editors:

1. Specialising in urban and high-speed rail transport, engineering consultancy SYSTRA recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and now employs over 2000 staff worldwide with its headquarters in Paris.

SYSTRA has been involved with the development or design and engineering of more high-speed lines than any other engineering consultant.

Currently working on high-speed projects spanning as far as California and Korea and with close links to SNCF and RFF in France, SYSTRA has been involved with the development of high-speed engineering solutions in Spain, Italy, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, China, Morocco and the Ukraine.

As a shareholder in London and Continental Railways since its formation in 1993, and one of the four members of the Rail Link Engineering joint venture, SYSTRA was also responsible for leading the engineering and project management of Britain's first high-speed line from the Channel Tunnel to St. Pancras International which opened in November 2007.

2. MVA Consultancy is owned by the SYSTRA Group and will be providing the demand forecasting and economic appraisal of the high-speed rail strategy, as well as the local UK context.

MVA has carved out an enviable track record in economic modelling, strategic planning and investment appraisals which has been demonstrated across a wide range of rail and other transport schemes. 

MVA Consultancy has prepared forecasts for high-speed rail in France, Portugal and Australia, as well as being involved in the first appraisal of high-speed rail in Britain undertaken by the previous Strategic Rail Authority.

3. Greengauge 21 is a company limited by guarantee established to promote the case for high-speed rail and foster debate. It has an Advisory Panel comprising: Chris Green (Chair), Richard Brown CBE, Richard Bowker CBE, Lord Faulkner and Sir Peter Hall.  Greengauge 21 Directors are Jim Steer and Julie Mills.

4. The 2008/09 High Speed Rail Development Programme will develop a high-speed rail network strategy for Great Britain. It will consider the potential role of high-speed rail in the five corridors set out in Figure 1 below and address the key questions:

• What kind of HSR network should be developed, which destinations should it serve, how should it be developed?
• What would such a network cost and what benefits will it bring, including at city and regional levels?
• What would be the carbon/energy impacts?
• What are the financial implications for the public sector and how can private sector skills, resources and finance be best used?

5. The organisations that are signing up as members of the Public Interest Group  comprise:

6. The budget for Greengauge 21’s 2008/09 high-speed rail development programme is £0.75 million. To date, two-thirds of this budget has been committed and it is estimated that the budget will be fully met by the organisations listed above. However, further organisations are considering membership and there is provision for ‘late joiners’.

7. The consultants appointed to deliver the work programme following a competitive tendering process are:

In addition, Denton Wilde Sapte is acting as legal adviser to Greengauge 21.

8. In parallel with Greengauge 21’s 2008/09 development programme, the British Chambers of Commerce are carrying out a consultation of their members on high speed rail issues, supported by Greengauge 21 and their advisers.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, MVA Consultancy provides advice on transport and other policy areas, to central, regional and local government, agencies, developers, operators and financiers.

For further information please contact:

Emma O'Sullivan on 01483 742925
or email eosullivan@mvaconsultancy.com

or

Sarah White on 01483 742975
or email swhite@mvaconsultancy.com

19 September 2008