The company will carry out topographical surveys and geotechnical investigations, tunnelling design for the new 5km-long route, and railway systems designs for track and overhead line equipment.

Jacobs Group vice-president Bob Duff said: "We look forward to contributing tangible solutions to support Network Rail's emphasis on sustainable design at the heart of the new rail link." Work under this contract will be executed over the next 12 months from the company's offices in the UK.

The proposed rail project includes a new direct, double track link between the Great Western main line at Langley in Berkshire into Heathrow Terminal 5.

This new Western Rail Access to Heathrow is expected to offer greater connectivity from south Wales, the west of England and the Thames Valley.

In addition, the line will provide faster journeys, reduced congestion making on other routes and significant economic benefits for local businesses.

According to Jacobs, the project also aims to reduce CO² emissions by the equivalent of a million road passenger trips to and from Heathrow.

Jacobs has already delivered pre-feasibility and feasibility studies in the early planning stage of the project. The new line is expected to be operational by 2021.