DENMARK: Infrastructure manager Banedanmark has appointed Atkins and Grontmij Carl Bro as design and engineering consultants for a DKr800m project to increase capacity on the western approach to København's main station.

A 5 km double track line designed for 120 km/h running will be built from Vigerslev to København H using a former freight line. This will provide the capacity for an additional two trains/direction/h on the busy main line from Ringsted to København, and offer additional resilience in the event of disruption between Valby and København H.

Atkins is also responsible for designing interlockings for the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2012.

The work is forms of a wider programme to increase capacity in the København - Ringsted corridor. Later this year a choice will be made between building a new alignment via Køge or laying additional tracks alongside the existing main line through Roskilde: the additional tracks to Vigerslev are needed whichever option is selected.