Re Contract

Balfour Beatty PLC
06 October 2005


6 October 2005


          BALFOUR BEATTY AWARDED £110 MILLION CONTRACT BY NETWORK RAIL
                FOR WEST COAST MAIN LINE ELECTRIFICATION UPGRADE
                ================================================
                                        
Balfour Beatty, the international engineering, construction and services group,
announces today that it has been awarded the £110 million contract, in joint
venture with Carillion, to deliver 13 feeder stations and 620 miles of high
voltage feeder for the West Coast Main Line rail electrification project for
Network Rail.

The work involves modernising the overhead line equipment and enhancing the
proven distribution infrastructure. It follows successful completion of the
first phase of the West Coast Main Line Overhead Line Electrification and
Distribution Upgrade in which Balfour Beatty has been a lead participant in
joint venture with Network Rail and Carillion.

Commenting today, Balfour Beatty Chief Executive, Ian Tyler, said:

'This new award, which will substantially complete the overhead electrification
component of the West Coast Main Line modernisation programme, further underpins
Balfour Beatty's position as the UK's pre-eminent fixed rail infrastructure
contractor.'

Balfour Beatty Rail, in conjunction with other Balfour Beatty operating
companies, is currently working on the rail links for the new Heathrow Terminal
5, in contracts worth over £170 million. The work involves the electrical and
mechanical systems for the Heathrow Express and Piccadilly Line extensions, the
rail systems and station works and M and E works for the track transit system
and construction management and fit out of the new Terminal 5 Station.

Balfour Beatty Rail is one of Network Rail's leading suppliers of track renewals
services following the award of new five-year renewals contracts in April 2004.
Balfour Beatty Rail is also responsible, through Metronet, for the track
renewals programme for London Underground on the Bakerloo, Central, Victoria and
Sub-Surface Lines in a programme likely to be worth approximately £500 million
in the first 71/2 year concession contract period.

                                      ENDS

Enquiries to:
Tim Sharp
Tel: [phone]
www.balfourbeatty.com


Notes to Editors
----------------

1.  Balfour Beatty, together with Carillion, has been responsible for a major
    portion of the works on the West Coast Main Line modernisation programme.

2.  Balfour Beatty is one of the world's leading rail electrification
    specialists. In addition to its UK work, it has substantial positions and 
    major contracts in Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, 
    Malaysia and China.

3.  Balfour Beatty is a world-class engineering, construction and services 
    group, well positioned in infrastructure markets which offer significant 
    growth potential. Its partnerships with public and private customers 
    generate secure, sustainable income. Its financial position, with 
    significant net cash and with strong operating cash flows, offers 
    continuing flexibility to add additional capacity and expertise to the 
    business mix and to make appropriate investments in PPP and other long-term
    growth opportunities.




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