SYSTRA secures place on Anglian Water framework 

SYSTRA secures place on Anglian Water framework 

The services provided will support the water company’s capital delivery and environmental programmes and inform planning, permitting, design, and construction activities across a range of infrastructure projects and enabling works in the East of England. 

The service scope includes, among others: 

• Baseline hydrological surveys 

• Flood risk assessments and modelling 

• Hydrological Impact Assessments (HIA) and input to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) 

• Post-construction hydrological monitoring and reporting 

• Support for statutory consultation and planning submissions 

• Data analysis, GIS mapping, and reporting in line with regulatory and project-specific requirements. 

The framework will also cover a range of environmental monitoring programmes, including: 

• Monitoring activities under the Anglian Water Services (AWS) Drought Plan, which may overlap with ecological surveys. This includes transitioning between baseline, pre-drought, drought permit, and post-drought monitoring frequencies, currently active across seven areas in the AWS region. 

• Monitoring for AWS Environmental Destination Investigations, particularly short-term data collection to strengthen the evidence base for sustainable abstraction as part of the current Asset Management Period (AMP8) Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). 

• Baseline and ongoing monitoring to support capital projects and other AMP8 initiatives, ensuring robust data informs project development, design, and consenting. 

HS2 reveals completed high-speed platforms at Old Oak Common station

The underground platforms will be served by HS2’s fleet of new high-speed trains, taking passengers between the capital and the West Midlands, as well as destinations further north via the West Coast Main Line.

HS2’s station construction partner Balfour Beatty Vinci SYSTRA (BBVS) oversaw the work to construct the platforms from its sub-contractor Expanded, which began in April 2025.

Work began by building 1.59m-high walls, known as invert walls. These were cast in situ on site before the pre-cast platform slabs, manufactured by Explore in Worksop, East Midlands, were lifted and secured on top. In total there are 1,946 slabs, each measuring up to 2m by 4m and weighing between four and five tonnes.

The team built the platforms concurrently from each end, before meeting in the middle in a formation of three island-style blocks. The platforms have a void below, allowing for services, such as electricity to be installed underneath.

Further fit out work on the platforms will now take place, including the construction of staff and equipment rooms.  On the platforms, steelwork for lifts and escalator installation will begin, and floor finishes will be fitted once the other elements have been completed.

In addition to the six high speed platforms, eight further platforms will be built at ground-level at Old Oak Common, being served by the Elizabeth line, Great Western Mainline and Heathrow Express services. Old Oak Common will be the 42nd stop on London’s Elizabeth line and will be one of the UK’s best-connected stations with trains reaching over 100 destinations.  

Kim Kapur, HS2’s Old Oak Common Area Director, said: “Going into the underground box at Old Oak Common, you can immediately visualise how it will look as an operational station, including where passengers will board or alight HS2’s brand new trains. The scale of the work – and the station now taking shape – is remarkable.

“However, there is much more to do. This includes construction of the conventional, surface level platforms, completion of tunnels either side of the underground box and installation of the impressive station roof, which will begin next year.

“Old Oak Common will be transformative for the local area, providing a new transport hub, with a new vibrant neighbourhood developing around it.”

Steve O’Sullivan, Project Director, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA joint venture, said: “This achievement reflects the expertise of our multidisciplinary teams who have worked collaboratively to deliver one of the most technically challenging stations currently being built in the UK, drawing on world-class engineering, specialist knowledge and a shared commitment to excellence.

“As the full scale, form and function of the station is starting to come into view there is a tremendous sense of pride in what has been accomplished so far to transform an ambitious design into a functioning transport hub, with our focus now on progressing works into the next phase.”

HS2’s CEO Mark Wild is continuing to lead a fundamental reset of the project, and a new detailed programme of work is being developed and agreed. At Old Oak Common, construction momentum continues to build, with HS2’s London tunnels contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG, due to break through via the west wall of the underground box soon. This will connect the station to the Northolt Tunnel and open it up to wider HS2 route further north.

At the same time, work continues on the Euston Tunnel being built to the east of the station, which will eventually connect Old Oak Common with HS2’s central London terminus. Two tunnel boring machines were launched from the station box at the start of this year and are expected to complete their journey to Euston in 2027.  

The connectivity at Old Oak Common will come from the multiple existing lines that are served such as the Great Western and Elizabeth Line. Work to build the overground platforms is ongoing, with the first platforms slabs due to be installed later this year. The team is also now looking forward to the station coming further out of the ground, with the first part of the stations vast roof going in early next year.

In addition to the additional capacity that HS2 will create on the southern section of the West Coast Main Line, creating more train paths for more frequent and reliable local and regional services, HS2 is spearheading local economic growth around its stations.

Economic research, published by HS2 last year, shows a £10bn boost in the areas surrounding its new station site in west London. Within 1.5 miles of Old Oak Common Station, HS2 will be responsible for generating over 22,000 homes, 693,000 square metres of commercial floorspace, and 18,782 jobs, the research, conducted by Arcadis, found.

View more about our projects on HS2

Trio of Viaducts Complete on HS2

The trio of viaducts – Balsall Common, Marsh Farm and River Blythe – are all within the Solihull metropolitan borough, on the southern approach to Interchange station.

Next, engineers working for HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI, will install the final parapets on the River Blythe Viaduct – the largest of the three bridges that carry the high-speed railway through Solihull, and the closest to Interchange Station – approximately 1.5 miles away.

Marsh Farm Viaduct was the first of these neighbouring structures to reach completion in summer 2025. The main structure of Balsall Common Viaduct was finished earlier this year, and all 304 parapets will be installed by spring 2027.

Doug Barnett, HS2 Ltd’s senior project manager said: “Our engineering teams are making fantastic progress on the Interchange Station approach, and it’s a significant achievement that all three viaducts in the Solihull borough are now structurally complete.

“The design and landscaping solutions were of upmost importance to local residents, and we worked extremely hard to get that right.”

River Blythe Viaduct

Both the River Blythe Viaduct and Balsall Common Viaduct are ‘Key Design Elements’ (KDEs), which means their size, proximity to communities, or location within sensitive areas, marked them out as significant. Local communities therefore helped to influence their design.

As the River Blythe is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the 495-metre-long viaduct was built with this in mind. The low-lying 12-metre-high structure skims the landscape as it crosses the river, the floodplain and Meriden Road near Hampton in Arden.

The deck is supported by two abutments and 19 concrete piers with Y-shaped splits to reduce the volume of concrete and enhance the aesthetic appeal. Local communities opted for larger-sized polished parapets to one side of the structure and were consulted on the tree planting that will help to blend the viaduct into the landscape.

The space under the viaduct will allow safe passage for a range of species, including dispersal routes for badgers, bats, birds, fish, great crested newts, otters and water voles. The design will also allow views through and around the viaduct, and the polished concrete acoustic parapets will visually reduce the mass of the structure, as well as minimising noise for local residents.

Now structurally complete, engineers will carry out the finishing touches, adding acoustic barriers and conducting final water proofing works.

Marsh Farm Viaduct

Two and a half miles south is the smallest of the three structures – Marsh Farm Viaduct, which carries the HS2 main line over Bayleys Brook and surrounding marshland.

Standing just five-metres above ground, the 145-metre-long viaduct is currently being used as a haul road to support construction of the adjacent embankments and cuttings, while reducing the number of lorries on local roads.

Balsall Common Viaduct

Just outside of the residential area of Balsall Common village stands the 430-metre-long Balsall Common Viaduct. Constructed to north-east of the existing Network Rail line, the eight-metre-high viaduct crosses Station Road, Truggist Lane, Bayleys Brook, Heart of England Way walk and the associated floodplain.

Now complete, engineers will begin installing the parapets, which were chosen by the local community. A public vote determined that the parapets would be designed with a polished finish to reflect the sky and surrounding vegetation, and that the viaduct would feature a unique weave motif in a nod to the area’s history of textile production.

Matthew Parkes, Construction Manager at Balfour Beatty VINCI said: “The structural completion of these viaducts is a huge another achievement for Balfour Beatty VINCI and its supply chain partners. All three viaducts span a range of diverse landscapes and environments, including wetlands, floodplains, SSSIs and water courses – making this achievement even more remarkable.

“Every effort has been made to protect these precious spaces and habitats. The realignment of Bayleys Brook is just one example of how the team has delivered on this commitment, where engineers carefully diverted a 150-metre section of the brook to allow Balsall Common Viaduct to pass over the top.”

The HS2 route has more than 500 bridging structures – including over 50 major viaducts which will stretch for a combined total of 15 kilometres (9 miles) across valleys, rivers, roads and flood plains.

When complete, Britain’s new high-speed railway will create quicker and more reliable journeys, driving economic growth while crucially freeing up space for more local trains on the most congested part of the West Coast Main Line.

From Interchange station, passengers will be able to travel to London Euston and HS2’s new superhub station Old Oak Common, which will be directly linked to over 100 locations in the UK.

View our high speed rail projects

TRU East Alliance awarded £160m contract for new Shipley train depot

The Shipley TrainCare Centre will support the operation of Northern’s electric train fleet, helping to improve reliability and resilience for passengers while enabling future phases of the programme to be delivered.

The depot will provide a vital new facility for the storage, servicing and maintenance of trains serving the Airedale and Wharfedale lines, supporting more efficient and dependable services across the region.

The TRU East Alliance – comprising of Network Rail, VolkerRail, Murphy, Siemens Mobility, SYSTRA and Arcadis – will deliver the project through an integrated design and build approach, bringing together the combined expertise of all partners.

VolkerRail will lead on track, signalling, overhead line equipment installation and low voltage systems. Murphy will deliver lineside civils and major civil engineering works, while Siemens Mobility will deliver the high voltage power systems, overhead line design and, telecommunications infrastructure, including the first Rail Charging Converter (RCC) synchronised to the mainline network. The converter will enable the depot’s 25kV overhead line system to be supplied directly from a local 11kV electricity network connection, reducing infrastructure requirements and improving operational flexibility. SYSTRA is principal designer for the alliance, CSM provider, and also undertaking human factors and systems engineering roles. Arcadis is acting as designer for the Shipley project, supporting the safe and coordinated design for the scheme.

Work is already underway on site, with significant enabling activity completed over the past year. This has included site clearance, removal of contaminated materials and ground preparation, alongside major infrastructure works such as the diversion of an underground sewer and the construction of two large retaining walls.

This early activity demonstrates the pace of delivery across the Alliance and highlights how collaborative working is enabling complex infrastructure to be progressed efficiently, while supporting local jobs, skills and investment as the project moves forward.

James Ramsden, TRU East Alliance director, said: “Securing this contract award marks a major milestone for the TRU East Alliance and reflects the strong, collaborative approach we’ve developed with Network Rail, Northern and the wider Enterprise.

“With early works already well underway at Shipley, we’re now moving into the next phase of delivery. By bringing together the collective expertise of all Alliance partners, we’re well placed to deliver a modern, high-quality depot that will play an important role in supporting more reliable and resilient rail services across West Yorkshire.

“This project demonstrates the value of working as an integrated Alliance to deliver complex infrastructure that benefits passengers, communities and the wider rail network.”

Construction of the main depot building has commenced and will be followed by all the supporting systems and infrastructure installation works until early 2028. Construction of the facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and brought into service in early 2028.

The depot will initially be used to support Northern’s electric fleet while TRU East delivers significant disruptive access to re-model infrastructure at Neville Hill in Leeds.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade is a multibillion-pound programme that will transform journeys across the North, improving connectivity between major towns and cities including Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

SYSTRA celebrates success on Strathclyde bus strategy 

Specialists at the multi-disciplinary engineering and consultancy company have supported Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to deliver the Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy (SRBS) since 2023. 

And the project won the Best Practice in Transport Planning award at a ceremony in Glasgow earlier this month. 

SYSTRA, which has offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh , began by developing the Case for Change for the strategy before further work on an Options Appraisal in 2024. 

Teams then collaborated to support a formal public consultation on the options for bus reform which led onto the development of the final SRBS. 

Laurence Venables, Associate at SYSTRA, worked on the project and attended the awards alongside the client, partners and stakeholders. 

“It was a brilliant night with some worthy recognition for a wide variety of transport projects and teams across Scotland,” he said. 

“Working on the SRBS was both a privilege and a learning experience for our teams. We were able to develop a robust set of policies and measures, alongside an action plan, to deliver a transformed bus network for the region. 

“SYSTRA supported at all stages of the strategy development process, speaking to councils and operators, developing a comprehensive and ambitious network plan, and formulating a framework of bus reform options.” 

The draft SRBS was taken to formal consultation in 2025 and received more than 5,000 responses. The SPT Partnership Board approved the strategy in 2025 and the SPT has since moved forward with developing a franchising process for the region.

And Laurence says the award recognition signals the importance of securing resilient bus provision and services to regions across the country. 

“This feels like a great time for bus in the UK,” he said. 

“There’s a growing recognition of its crucial role for communities and economies, supported by investment and policy moves to place it front and centre. 

“The awards handed out were testament to the progress being made, with bus initiatives notable by their prominence across all the nominations.” 

More here on how SYSTRA is helping local authorities and bus operators design and deliver innovative, financially viable and sustainable bus services.

Putting journey planning back on the map

The app, called Ride, allows users to plan, book and pay before riding buses, trains, trams, rental e-scooters and e-bikes.

Future mobility specialists at SYSTRA lead the options appraisal for the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform, which was tailored to the transport networks in Nottingham and Derby. 

The project involved extensive stakeholder engagement and co-design; using interviews and workshops to identify and prioritise key platform features based on local needs.

Alastair Kitson, Associate at SYSTRA, said: “We’re delighted to have supported in the development, management, and delivery of the procurement process for Ride – which enabled the selection of preferred MaaS supplier Trafi.

“Our role also included programme management, defining key activities, and supporting an engagement programme to develop a high-level technical blueprint. This important work informed provider specifications and supplemented ITT documentation.”

Ride has been described by Councillor Linda Woodings, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, as “one of the first of its kind in the country” and “transformative” in how people track public transport options. 

SYSTRA is committed to helping shape the sustainable, user-focused transport solutions of the future across the UK and Ireland. 

Our teams help clients forge better links between stakeholders across the mobility sector. As with the Ride app, SYSTRA ensures partners and suppliers work collaboratively to develop practical, useful travel services, supported by accessible passenger planning and booking tools.

SYSTRA celebrates five decades in Ireland and Cork office expansion 

SYSTRA, the French-headquartered engineering consultancy with two offices in Ireland, has marked 50 years of supporting connectivity and growth in the country and the expansion of its Cork office. 

To celebrate its new base at Penrose One, Penrose Dock, SYSTRA hosted a special event which was attended by distinguished guests Her Excellency the French Ambassador to Ireland Céline Place; Maxime Augé – Head of Economic Department at the Embassy of France in Ireland;  Christine Deniel-Spicer, Senior Trade Advisor at Business France Ireland, and Sarah Madjedi, VP Sales and Bids at SYSTRA.  

Colleagues from SYSTRA’s Cork and Dublin offices were also joined by key stakeholders from across Ireland’s business, transport and infrastructure communities to mark the opening of the larger premises, which reflect SYSTRA’s growth in Cork since opening its first office there in 2023. 

Her Excellency the French Ambassador to Ireland Céline Place, said: “Ireland is investing heavily in its transport, rail, energy and water infrastructure to support sustainable growth and the transition to a low‑carbon economy. 

“With their expertise of complex projects across the full project lifecycle — from strategic planning to design and delivery — French companies like SYSTRA are well positioned to support these national priorities. I warmly congratulate the SYSTRA teams in Cork and across Ireland for their commitment and achievements and wish them every success.” 

Sarah Madjedi, VP Sales & Bids at SYSTRA, said: “Over the decades, Ireland has offered us far more than business opportunities. It has provided talent, trust, and an environment where long-term partnerships can truly flourish. 

“As we move into this new office this expansion is not only about additional square metres. It is about vision; about investing in people; and about embedding an innovative and sustainable approach to support the next decades of growth.” 

Ian Byrne, Business Director for Ireland at SYSTRA, said: “We are proud to have been part of Ireland’s infrastructure story for over half a century, from our first work in 1975 on the Dublin Rapid Rail Transit Study, to more recent projects such as Dublin and Cork BusConnects, Cork Luas, City Edge, Liffey Valley Bus Interchange Scheme, Greater Dublin Area and Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategies and so many more. 

“With the strength of our Ireland team and the backing of our global SYSTRA colleagues, we are ready to continue playing our part in helping Ireland deliver a sustainable future that supports growth.” 

SYSTRA has played a central role in Ireland’s development for more than 50 years, supporting major infrastructure programmes that enhance connectivity and enable economic growth. Its multidisciplinary teams continue to deliver innovative sustainable solutions across the full project lifecycle from early planning and modelling through design, delivery and operation.

SYSTRA’s Cork office is now located on the 5^th floor, Penrose One, Penrose Dock, Cork T23 YY09. 

Mental Health Awareness Week – Embracing wellness to prevent burnout 

Taking care of your wellbeing both in and out of the workplace is vital in promoting good mental health – something our colleagues at SYSTRA are deeply invested in.

As a core value of our business, working as connected teams is at the heart of how we operate. Through our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion programme, Everyone Onboard, and via our dedicated Wellness Champions, we embrace togetherness and understanding whilst continually supporting health and wellbeing across our teams.  

Fostering a supportive, wellbeing-focused work environment plays a big role in preventing burnout. By avoiding unnecessary stress through proactive, sustainable lifestyle changes, our colleagues are keen advocates for a healthy work-life balance and embracing mental wellbeing.  

Our wellness-focused podcasts showcase colleagues who are passionate about topics such as mental health, work-life balance and stress management. In each episode, they share insights around managing health and wellbeing with work. Catch up on recent episodes here: 

To mark this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which takes place from 11th to 17th May, we asked some of our colleagues about what they do to look after their own wellbeing: 

Emma Pym, Associate, said: “I really enjoy a good book, time with my friends and family, cuddles with my cat Stella, exploring new places, good food, good coffee and a visit to my local brewery.” 

Michael Westwood, Team Leader, said staying active is important to him. 

“I like to run and I find that coaching my son’s rugby team helps to take my mind off work,” he said. 

“As a Level Crossings team, we were recently lucky enough to attend a wellbeing afternoon at a local yoga retreat where we experienced the extensive benefits of yoga and a healthy lunch.” 

Sarah White, Marketing & Communications Manager, said she loves cycling and initially bought a bike to get her to the station for her commute. 

“But during lockdown when we had an hour a day to go out and exercise, I went out on my bike and discovered all the local country parks and common land,” she added. 

“This is something I’ve continued exploring and I’ve even completed the London to Brighton bike ride twice.” 

Find out more about our values: https://www.systra.com/uk/who-we-are/ambition-values/ 

SYSTRA supports start of major road scheme to boost connectivity in Scotland 

Our transport planning specialists played an important role in supporting North Ayrshire Council’s bid to upgrade the B714. 

The £34.7 million project includes significant improvements on a key artery between the Three Towns and the Garnock Valley, connecting North Ayrshire with Glasgow. 

SYSTRA’s role involved developing the business case for the scheme following our support in developing the original funding bid. 

The full business case has been approved by the UK Government with £23.69 million funding provided towards the scheme through the Levelling Up Fund. 

A groundbreaking event on 12^th March  officially marked the start of construction along the first phase of work. 

Project Manager Ian Bruce, Associate Director at SYSTRA, said: “We were delighted to see the upgrade scheme receive final approval from the UK Government. 

“We have worked closely with North Ayrshire Council over several years to ensure a robust business case provided clarity on the positive outcomes the multimillion-pound project will deliver. 

“At SYSTRA, we’re committed to supporting sustainable infrastructure projects with an evidence-based approach that captures the long-term benefits to communities. 

“We were able to work collaboratively to highlight how the B714 upgrade will reduce congestion and provide enhanced connectivity across the locality. The business case identified how the improved route will open up opportunities to people living in the surrounding areas and we look forward to seeing the construction move forward in the coming months.” 

 Creating a neuroinclusive workplace at SYSTRA – Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) play an important role in achieving this goal – giving colleagues the opportunity to network with like-minded people, support each other through challenges and drive positive change throughout the business. 

Our disability ERG is a shining example of the impact employee-driven groups can have in the workplace. This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we’re celebrating their neurodiversity-focused achievements from 2025.

Community building 

Over 2025 the ERG has blossomed into a thriving community where colleagues regularly collaborate and support each other with a range of day-to-day tasks. By providing a place for neurodiverse and other disabled colleagues to talk through any problems they may be facing, the ERG has become an integral part of helping colleagues thrive.

The group have found success using different tools and ways of working, including art wellness sessions over lunch times to decompress midday and regular body-doubling sessions to create an environment for increased focus and deep thinking. 

Raising awareness and sharing information 

The group celebrated many successes over 2025 in raising awareness around neurodivergent conditions both within SYSTRA and to the wider industry. They published three podcast episodes: two focusing on navigating the workplace with ADHD and seeking diagnosis, and one insight into life as a parent and carer of a neurodivergent child.

During Neurodiversity Celebration Week in 2025, the group displayed posters throughout our offices highlighting a range of neurodivergent conditions to share colleague’s experiences on how these conditions can show up in the workplace.  

In-person collaboration day 

During Disability Pride Month, our disability ERG met in-person for a day of education, collaboration and community building. Members of the group, alongside HR and health and safety colleagues, held workshops to refine their objectives and develop a plan on how to achieve these. As a result of the collaboration day, they defined their three objectives as: 

• Objective 1: Access – The development of a disability focused support for the employee journey, to ensure all persons with disabilities are supported and considered throughout their time at SYSTRA.   

• Objective 2: Knowledge – Increasing awareness and highlighting the impacts of living with disabilities.   

• Objective 3: Psychological safety - Enhancing the culture that exists within SYSTRA to allow colleagues to feel safe in bringing their authentic self to work. 

Lou Garrick, Disability ERG Co-Lead and Geologist, said: 

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as an Employee Resource Group. The commitment from everyone involved has been inspiring as we work towards creating an even more inclusive environment for those with disabilities, hidden or visible. 

“It’s important to remember that even the smallest changes can make a big difference to everyone.”  

Learn more about equality, inclusion and diversity at SYSTRA.