Ashurst has advised longstanding client Crossrail on the award of £1bn trains contract to Bombardier. 

Ashurst's global head of energy, transport and infrastructure Mark Elsey and energy partner Terry van Poortvliet led the team on the deal, which will see the Canadian manufacturer provide 65 trains for the Crossrail service, which is set to open in 2018.

Bombardier used its in-house team.

The Department for Transport said Bombardier's contract would support 760 manufacturing jobs and 80 apprenticeships.

In 2002, Ashurst won the mandate to advise the joint venture company, Cross London Rail Links (Crossrail) on the development and implementation of its two major rail projects in the capital.

The Crossrail network will run from Maidenhead and Heathrow Airport in the west of the city, to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is acting for the Department for Transport on the procurement of the Crossrail project, with a team led by London energy and infrastructure head Alex Carver and counsel Jason Chamberlain.

Debevoise & Plimpton and US firm Katten Muchin Rosenman recently advised American Airlines on a deal with Bombardier and Brazil's Embraer to buy 90 new regional jets.