Alstom’s Smartlock solution to equip seven signal boxes in East Kent, England

Network Rail, the main operator of rail infrastructure in the United Kingdom, has awarded Signalling Solutions Ltd, a joint venture equally held by Alstom Transport and Balfour Beatty Rail, a contract worth some €40 million to modernize the signalling of 105 km of tracks in the East Kent region of the UK. Alstom’s share is €20 million . Alstom’s Smartlock solution is slated for start-up in December 2011. It will equip seven signal boxes and will be housed in the new Gillingham signalling centre. Signalling Solutions Ltd will design, manufacture, install, test and start up the new signalling system while also making the necessary improvements to the existing infrastructure. 

This is the third contract based on the Smartlock solution that Signalling Solutions Ltd has won. It follows the Southampton contract signed in early 2010. 

Steve McLaren, Managing Director of Signalling Solutions Ltd, views this latest contract “as a new sign of confidence by the customer. It also demonstrates the success and performance of Smartlock technology, which has been widely adopted by main lines and urban systems”