Arcadis and AtkinsRéalis have been jointly appointed by Network Rail to support programme management for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) through to completion of the multi-billion-pound rail modernisation programme.
The two companies will operate as a joint venture under a five-year Programme Partner framework, valued at up to £100 million, with the option to extend for a further three years. The partnership will provide a range of services including project management, programme controls and integration, data analytics, schedule monitoring, risk management, strategic advisory and construction and commercial management.
The appointment will support the delivery of the £10.7 billion TRU programme, currently the largest rail upgrade project in the UK. The scheme will modernise 122 kilometres of railway between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, delivering faster, greener and more reliable journeys across the North of England.
Once complete, journey times are expected to fall to around 63 minutes between Manchester and York and 42 minutes between Manchester and Leeds, alongside major improvements in reliability and capacity through full route electrification.
Paul Dennett, Managing Director – Mobility, UK & Ireland at Arcadis, said:
“I am proud of this appointment to support programme management for the Transpennine Route Upgrade. This milestone aligns perfectly with Arcadis’ core mission to improve quality of life by modernising rail connections across the North. The TRU will deliver faster, more reliable, and greener travel for millions, supporting regional growth and economic opportunity. By drawing on local talent and working closely with communities, we’re not just building better infrastructure—we’re helping to create lasting benefits for people and places across Manchester, Leeds, York and beyond.”
Colette Carroll, Managing Director – Transportation, UK & Ireland at AtkinsRéalis, added:
“The Transpennine Route Upgrade is a transformational programme that will unlock significant growth opportunities for the North of England through faster, more reliable journeys and unlocking new east-west links. Our appointment as Programme Partner, alongside Arcadis, builds on nearly a decade of involvement in TRU and reflects our proven capability in delivering complex rail programmes. By leveraging our extensive local talent and working closely with regional supply chains, we will support strong programme delivery while investing in people and businesses that will sustain the North’s rail network for generations to come.”
Strengthening regional capability
A key element of the programme partner role will be the coordination of multiple alliances and project teams working along the route, ensuring effective integration across the complex delivery programme.
Arcadis and AtkinsRéalis will draw on teams based in Manchester, York and Leeds, while working with local SMEs across the supply chain, including Manchester-based consultancy D2, helping to support regional skills development and economic growth.
The appointment also builds on the companies’ long-standing involvement in the TRU programme. Arcadis has supported the scheme through cost planning, estimating and programme controls, while AtkinsRéalis was appointed in February 2025 to the TRU Lead Design Organisation framework, leading design integration for the Stalybridge to Huddersfield section of the route.
Both organisations are also collaborating on other major rail programmes, including Northern Powerhouse Rail, the Integrated Rail Plan and Network North, through a separate £300 million development and design partnership framework with Network Rail’s Eastern region.
Together, the programme partner role will help coordinate delivery of one of the most significant infrastructure upgrades in the UK, aimed at strengthening east-west connectivity, supporting economic growth and delivering a more sustainable railway for the North.
