Response to Arbiter's report

RNS Number:1692M
Atkins (WS) PLC
16 November 2006


16 November, 2006



PPP Arbiter's Guidance for Metronet

Atkins notes the conclusions of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Arbiter's
Guidance report, requested by Metronet and published today, that Metronet's
performance during the first three years of its operation has fallen short of
being Economic and Efficient. (The Guidance is published on the Arbiter's
website http://www.ppparbiter.org.uk.)

Atkins has, over the last two years, regularly commented on the delays in the
capital programme. The Arbiter's Guidance broadly confirms this position. As the
Arbiter makes clear, during the last year actions have been taken to address
areas of less than satisfactory performance. Metronet's response to the Guidance
can be found at http://www.metronetrail.com.

Atkins will be reporting its interim results for the six months ended 30
September 2006 on Thursday 23 November.

Ends

ENQUIRIES:

Robert MacLeod, Finance Director                Telephone: + 44 (0) 1372 726140
James Garthwaite, Group Communication Director



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