27 Apr 2023
Transport for Wales (TfW) and its organisational change and sustainable development partners Arup are celebrating industry recognition in the Spotlight Rail Awards.
TfW and Arup won the Outstanding Project (under £20m) award for the Welsh Railways Change Programme (WRCP), which saw the Wales and Borders franchise brought under public ownership.
Arup supported TfW through a complex programme to mobilise and transition the rail operator from private to public ownership, supporting Welsh Government's ambitions for an accessible transport system that supports sustainable travel and benefits Wales' people, places and economy.
Anthony McKenna, Head of Sponsorship and Commercial Programmes at TfW, said: “We’re delighted to be recognised with this leading industry award.
“The organisation change needed for the WRCP was a significant piece of work lasting a number of months and we could not have done it without a great team effort.
“We were lucky to benefit from a small group of consultants, led by Arup, who helped us deliver the programme successfully.”
The WRCP began in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued until the end of 2021.
Arup Project Director Andrew Jenkins said: “Engagement, collaboration and a culture of knowledge-sharing between the Arup and TfW teams was crucial to the success of this complex project. We’re delighted that this award recognises the value of skilfully delivered organisational change in the rail industry.”
The project was successfully delivered on time and budget and included:
- More than 50 legal agreements and 300 contracts.
- Transfer of approx. 3,000 members of staff.
- 113 technology systems and services.
- Four licences with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR)
- 18 fleet leases equating to 317 trains.
For more information about the Spotlight Awards visit www.spotlightrailawards.com/
