AECOM Chosen to Design Key Upgrades for England’s Busiest Rail Corridors
AECOM , a global leader in infrastructure consulting and engineering, has announced its appointment as an ecosystem delivery partner for VolkerRail, playing a pivotal role in the Southern Renewals Enterprise (SRE) — a transformational rail infrastructure program led by Network Rail in the UK. The Southern Region of Network Rail encompasses some of the most heavily traveled railway corridors in England, accommodating nearly 700 million passenger journeys each year. This appointment reinforces AECOM’s status as a premier partner in the UK’s rail modernization and renewal landscape.
A New Chapter in UK Rail Renewals
Under this partnership, AECOM will deliver a comprehensive range of multidisciplinary design services for VolkerRail, which has been named the track delivery partner for the SRE. AECOM’s responsibilities include conducting topographical surveys, delivering detailed track and electrical track engineering (ETE) designs, and providing both project and engineering management services. These services will support the development and delivery of extensive renewal works throughout the Southern Region.
The SRE is part of a broader and ambitious £9 billion programme that Network Rail launched in April 2024. Spanning a decade-long period from 2024 to 2034, the initiative seeks to upgrade, renew, and enhance key infrastructure across the Southern Region. The program adopts a progressive and collaborative model based on the Institution of Civil Engineers’ (ICE) Project 13 principles, which are centered around integrated project delivery, long-term collaboration, and improved value creation for stakeholders, customers, and end-users.
Collaborative Delivery for Long-Term Impact
AECOM’s involvement in the Southern Renewals Enterprise highlights the firm’s continued commitment to transforming critical infrastructure through integrated expertise, innovation, and collaboration. The SRE model represents a shift away from traditional transactional contracting toward a more aligned and collaborative ecosystem approach, which enables delivery partners to work together toward common goals across the long term.
“As the industry’s top rail and mass transit design firm, our integrated expertise across railway design, maintenance, and delivery positions us to realize these major improvements for millions of travelers,” said Mark Southwell, Chief Executive of AECOM’s global Transportation business. “Our experts have a long track record of success supporting commuter and intercity rail projects across the UK, and we look forward to continuing our role as a key enabler of the nation’s rail modernization efforts well into the future.”
With growing urban populations, increasing demand for rail services, and aging infrastructure across much of the UK rail network, the need for efficient, scalable, and future-proofed renewal programs has never been more critical. The SRE aims to address this challenge directly by ensuring that the rail infrastructure is safe, reliable, and equipped to meet future demands.
Strengthening a Legacy of Rail Expertise
AECOM’s selection is also a testament to the company’s deep-rooted experience in the UK rail sector. Over the past decade, AECOM has worked on a broad range of high-profile rail projects, including track upgrades, electrification programs, and complex station redevelopments. Its comprehensive design and consultancy capabilities allow it to provide holistic solutions, from initial feasibility studies through to detailed engineering and construction phase support.
“We are excited to take part in this key programme, continuing our strong relationship with VolkerRail and building on our experience delivering major UK rail renewal programmes in recent years,” said Richard Whitehead, Chief Executive of AECOM’s Europe & India Region. “As one of the UK’s leading multidisciplinary design teams, we take pride in delivering efficient and reliable track renewal outcomes that help prevent delays and disruption for both freight and passengers, ensuring track safety and performance.”
The collaboration with VolkerRail under the SRE umbrella also builds on previous successful joint efforts between the two organizations. Their complementary skill sets and shared commitment to sustainable, reliable rail infrastructure make them natural partners in this decade-spanning enterprise.
The Scale and Scope of the Southern Region
Network Rail’s Southern Region covers a vast and strategically important area stretching from Devon in the west to Kent in the east. This region includes three major operating routes—Wessex, Sussex, and Kent—and plays a crucial role in connecting London to the wider South of England. The region is not only one of the busiest in terms of passenger volumes but also vital from a freight and international connectivity perspective.
The infrastructure under the purview of Network Rail Southern Region is extensive and complex:
- Track: Approximately 3,300 miles of railway track
- Stations: 544 passenger stations
- Bridges: Nearly 5,000 structures
- Level Crossings: 895
- Signals: 7,990 individual signal systems
In addition to supporting daily commuter and regional rail services, the Southern Region also accommodates international and logistics traffic. It serves key gateways such as the Channel Tunnel routes to mainland Europe, the major freight and passenger ports of Southampton and Dover, and both Gatwick and Southampton international airports. These transport nodes are vital to the economic health of southern England and the broader UK.
A Future-Oriented Delivery Model
The Southern Renewals Enterprise model, inspired by Project 13, is designed to shift the way infrastructure programs are delivered in the UK. Project 13 moves away from short-term, transactional contracting in favor of long-term relationships focused on shared success, value delivery, and customer satisfaction. The emphasis is on collaborative working environments, digital innovation, and optimizing whole-life performance of infrastructure assets.
Through its role in SRE, AECOM is helping to pioneer a more integrated and intelligent approach to infrastructure development. This includes deploying advanced data analytics, digital engineering tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), and environmentally sustainable design practices that align with the UK’s net-zero carbon goals.
Supporting Sustainability and Resilience
Another critical dimension of AECOM’s work on the SRE will be its alignment with environmental sustainability and climate resilience. The UK government has set ambitious targets to decarbonize its transport network, and rail is expected to play a leading role. AECOM will contribute by helping design energy-efficient, low-emission systems, minimizing construction-related disruption and waste, and enhancing asset durability in the face of climate change.
By ensuring that renewal works are designed with both environmental and operational performance in mind, AECOM is reinforcing its role as a sustainability-focused partner to public sector clients and infrastructure owners.
AECOM’s appointment as an ecosystem delivery partner for VolkerRail under the Southern Renewals Enterprise is more than just a contract win—it is a strategic collaboration that underscores the evolution of UK rail infrastructure delivery. As Network Rail embarks on a 10-year, £9 billion journey to renew and future-proof its Southern Region, AECOM will be at the heart of the process, shaping the design, execution, and impact of critical works that will affect millions of daily commuters and freight operators.
Through its expertise, collaborative ethos, and commitment to long-term performance, AECOM continues to lead the transformation of Britain’s railways—setting a precedent for how modern infrastructure should be delivered in the 21st century.
