ALSTOM and Balfour Beatty announced the official launch of a 50:50 joint venture to undertake signalling projects in the UK and Ireland on October 10. Signalling Solutions Ltd takes over contracts worth £76m from Alstom Transport Information Solutions and Balfour Beatty Rail Projects which have come together to form the joint venture.

Alstom is one of three licensees of the former British Rail Solid State Interlocking, and is currently seeking Network Rail approval for its Smartlok fourth-generation SSI. The new venture will be able to provide services including planning, design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning. Contracts brought within the venture include the Colchester - Clacton resignalling scheme plus West Coast Route Modernisation projects at Milton Keynes and Bletchley.

Headed by managing Director David Felton, the company will have a workforce of 340 with its headquarters at Alstom's Borehamwood site near London and design offices in Derby, Birmingham, York, Croydon and Reading.

• Balfour Beatty announced on September 21 that it has acquired British firm Laser Rail, a specialist provider of gauging tools and infrastructure data management software. Balfour Beatty's Group Managing Director Manfred Leger said the acquisition 'will give the group market leadership in structure/vehicle interface management, and offers the prospect for developing an international presence in this sector.'