Atkins On Track

WS Atkins, the multinational engineering and design consultancy involved in major projects such as London's 2012 Olympics and the Crossrail east-west rail link, has announced this week that it started the year well with performance in the first quarter in line with its expectations.

The highways business, part of the consortium is set to carry out a £4.5 billion widening of the M25 and begun design work on the £450 million M74 motorway scheme in Glasgow.

The rail arm has also made a positive start with projects including major re signalling works at Newport as part of operator Network Rail's plans to modernise signalling systems across Wales and the South West.

In the Middle East, demand for its services remain "very high" and the company has won a clutch of deals in Oman, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These include the design of the Tameer Tower, which at 600 metres will be the second tallest building in Dubai.

Atkins posted pre-tax profits of £91.9 million for the year to April 30 on revenues of £1.3 billion.