London & Continental likely to build rail linkBy Beverley Cohen

London & Continental, the consortium numbering Virgin among its members, is believed to have won the two-way race to build the Channel Tunnel rail link.

The Department of Transport is not yet announcing the winning bid, but sources are widely predicting success for the consortium’s bid.

A DoT spokeswoman confirms London & Continental is now “the preferred bidder – but this does not necessarily mean London & Continental will win”.

If true, the win would produce a host of design projects for the design consultancies which have been helping with London & Continental’s plans.

The groups on board are believed to include FM Design and its subsidiary Design Clinic, and communications agency The Presentation Company.

Designs by The Presentation Company were submitted as part of London & Continental consortium’s bid to build the 3bn 68- mile rail link from St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel. According to a source, the multimedia and communications consultancy has designed a map for the rail link.

The Richard Rogers Partnership is also believed to be involved in the London & Continental consortium (DW 16 February).

A spokesman from Virgin has previously said that the Eurostar trains will be “refurbished and updated”. This could include “seating and graphics” by FM Design.

Rival bidder Eurorail had been planning to do its design work in-house.