The DSF is worth an estimated £400m and will deliver design services across the country for Control Period 6, with the option to extend into Control Period 7.

The 82 contracts went live on 1 January 2020 and are split across four multi-discipline frameworks and 78 single-discipline frameworks. VolkerRail was awarded three single-discipline contracts:

•  Electrification & Plant – Plant: North East (Eastern)
• Signalling: North West & Scotland (North West & Central; and Scotland’s Railway)
• Signalling: North East (Eastern)

Daljinder Chatta, Network Rail's commercial director, said: “Network Rail will have greater access to a design support network, providing mutual benefits to both Network Rail and the supply chain. Some of these include working more directly with suppliers, improved assurance, getting closer to experts, improved business and safety performance and enabling innovation to thrive.”

Ken Robinson, VolkerRail’s specialist businesses director, said: “The award of these contracts is testament to our continued commitment to enhance and expand our capabilities within the sector. Our design team is already providing high quality services for Network Rail and are looking forward to building a stronger relationship with their team, across CP6.”