Allerton High Level Access Platform

Northern Trains Limited is seeking a single supplier to construct full‑length high‑level access platforms at the Allerton depot, specifically for use alongside its Classes 323, 768 and 331 rolling stock and any future fleets that operate from the site. The platforms will be installed on a single road to enhance operational flow and safety within the Planned Heavy Clean area, enabling secure work at height across the entire length of four‑car trains. The design, provided by RCA Construction, requires the integration of comprehensive safety systems, including barriers, fall‑protection devices and appropriate safety signage to protect staff.

In addition to the standard safety features, the platforms must incorporate a safe method for removing roof‑mounted components such as HVAC units, thereby minimising manual handling risks. They must also interface seamlessly with the depot’s overhead line equipment isolation system and the depot protection system, ensuring that the platforms can only be accessed when the overhead electrical supply has been fully isolated. The construction will be performed under a JCT Intermediate Works with Contractor’s Design 2024 contract form.

The platforms must permit safe removal of roof‑mounted HVAC units while preventing manual handling risk and must only become usable when overhead power has been fully isolated.

Northern Trains Limited, is a Train Operating Company (TOC) that operates passenger rail services across the North. Northern Trains Limited is publishing this notice to establish a contract with a single supplier for the construction of full-length high-level access platforms based on designs from RCA Construction, enabling safe working at height along the entire length of four-car trains. These platforms will be compatible with existing fleets (Classes 323, 768, and 331) as well as any future fleets operating at Allerton depot. They will be installed on one road to improve operational flow, particularly in the Planned Heavy Clean (PHC) area.
The platforms will incorporate essential safety features, including barriers, fall protection systems, and appropriate signage to ensure safe use by staff. A key functional requirement is the inclusion of a safe method for removing roof-mounted components, such as HVAC units, while minimising manual handling risks.
In addition, the high-level access platforms must integrate with existing overhead line equipment (OHLE) isolation systems and the depot protection system. This ensures that the platforms cannot be used unless the overhead electrical supply has been fully isolated, thereby maintaining a high level of safety for maintenance activities.
The nature of the arrangement is that works will be supplied under a JCT intermediate Works with Contractors design 2024.
Where used throughout this notice, the meaning of Train Operating Companies includes all and any of those train operating companies who, currently or in the future, provide services for the carriage of passengers by railway:
a.under a franchise agreement with the Secretary of State within the meaning of section 23(3) of the Railways Act 1993 or
a.under, or secured under, the Secretary of State’s duty in section 30(1) of the Railways Act 1993; or
a.in accordance with legislation which supersedes or amends the powers referred to in a) and b), including where such powers are transferred from the Secretary of State to another body.
The list of current providers of services for the carriage of passengers by railway under these provisions can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-register-of-rail-passenger-contracts.
Novation or Assignment
The contract may be novated or assigned by Northern Trains Limited to Train Operating Companies, or to DFT Operator Limited (company number: 07141122) or any successor parent company to a Train Operating Company, following a corporate restructuring or similar circumstance.
Other Information
Northern Trains Limited expressly reserves the right:
i.not to award any suppliers the contract referred to in this notice; and
i.in no circumstances will the customer be liable for any costs incurred by the suppliers.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta E-Sourcing Portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/243HENY3FZ
To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/243HENY3FZ

Contract location: UKD72
Communication: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/243HENY3FZ
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En
Enquiry deadline: 2026-07-24T17:00:00+01:00
Submission address and any special instructions: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/243HENY3FZ
Tenders may be submitted electronically: allowed

Lot number: 1
Lot value (estimated)
1.231.900,00 GBP excluding VAT
1.478.280,00 GBP including VAT

Award criteria:

Name	Type	Weighting
Quality Criteria	quality	45%
Price Criteria	price	45%
Social Value Criteria	quality	10%