Department of Transport

Final BR design office and specialist engineering business sold
_______________________________________________________________

date 18 December 1995
source Department of Transport
type Press release

note 430

The Government notched up further progress towards a fully privatised
rail industry today as John Watts, Minister for Railways and Roads,
revealed the sale of two more BR businesses.

Mr Watts said that CEDAC London Ltd, the last of BR's five civil
engineering design offices, and Powertrack Engineering Company Ltd,
one of two specialist engineering businesses, had been sold to Surrey
based W S Atkins Consultants Ltd.

"These sales complete the privatisation of BR's seven minor
infrastructure service businesses. They follow hot on the heels of
the #1.8 billion sale of the Rolling Stock Leasing Companies," said
the Minister.

Mr Watts pointed to progress towards rail privatisation so far:

-over 40 per cent of passenger services out to tender with the first
three franchises expected to be awarded soon;

-the stock market flotation of Railtrack is planned for the Spring;

-the track maintenance and renewal units - businesses with a
turnover of #1.16 billion - is proceeding on time and is due for
completion early next year.

"All six Heavy maintenance depots have been sold. All seven design
offices have been sold. On Board Services has been sold. Rail
privatisation is real, and it's happening now," he said.

Overall, more than 140 organisations registered an interest in the
seven businesses with competitive bids coming from engineering
companies, construction companies and a management buyout team.

BR's minor infrastructure service businesses had a combined turnover
of #32 million in financial year 1994/95, and employed 660 people.

Notes to editors

1. CEDAC London Ltd and Powertrack Engineering Company Ltd were
offered for sale along with other civil design offices.

2. The civil engineering design offices specialise in the following
areas of work:

-bridge, structures and building design
-permanent way design
-quantity surveying
-building engineering services
-site supervision
-safety management
-feasibility studies, appraisals, estimates
-land, track surveys

3. Powertrack offers specialist railway electrification
infrastructure services.

4. The businesses main customer is at present Railtrack. It is
expected that they will gain the majority of their revenue from
Railtrack and other rail industry operating companies.

# = pounds sterling

Railhub Archive ::: 1995-12-18 DoT-001