Scott Wilson Group, the international design and engineering consultancy for the built and natural environments, has won a £14.5 million ($23.2 million) project management contract on a high speed rail project in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO) awarded the five-year contract to Scott Wilson for providing project management support to the new Haramain High Speed Rail Project.

Under the deal, Scott Wilson will provide technical, specialist engineering and programme management support services to the SRO, both at its headquarters in Dammam and around the construction and commissioning sites.

This is the first high speed rail programme in the Middle East and is a 320 kph railway linking the cities of Makkah, Jeddah, the new King Abdullah Economic City and Medina, as well as the International Airport in Jeddah.

The 440km line will not only provide fast and safe transport for pilgrims to the Holy Cities, but serve as a highly effective public transport link between fast growing and economically active commercial centres.

Hugh Blackwood, Group chief executive, said, “Saudi Arabia is a rapid growth area with continuing investment in key infrastructure. Scott Wilson is delighted to be involved in such a high profile rail project which provides a further opportunity to apply our growing global rail credentials.”