Network Rail’s costs ‘40 per cent higher’ than some counterparts
the rail industry makes every penny count. This is encouraging. But the company still has much to do in the remaining years of the control period, to meet our expectations.’ Publishing details of Network
Rail’s performance from April to July, it says train punctuality is ‘encouraging’, with West Coast services improving. But there was ‘disappointing’
poor performance on the East Coast main line, with overhead line problems and difficulties with train fleet reliability. Figures for August showed that, overall, 94.2 per cent of trains ran on time. In a statement, Network Rail
n
Network Rail falls behind comparable European rail
infrastructure companies, according to the Office of Rail Regulation. It says the ‘efficiency gap’
between Network Rail and the rest of Europe is 34 to 40 per cent. In its international comparison,
the ORR says: ‘The figures confirm Network Rail remains significantly less efficient in maintaining and renewing its infrastructure than comparable rail infrastructure managers in Europe. Engineering analysis highlights key factors
behind the efficiency gap, including the way track renewals contracts are awarded and the different way possessions are carried out.’ The figures are part of ORR’s
assessment of Network Rail’s finances, which showed a 3.6 per cent efficiency improvement in its operating, maintenance and renewals work in 2009-10 compared with the previous year. Network Rail must make a
further 18 per cent of efficiency savings over the next four years to meet its targets.
The ORR says Network Rail received £5.8bn in income, mainly from track access charges and network grant paid by the government. It spent £6.5bn to operate and invest in the network last year; £800m less than ORR assumed would be spent. This was due to the deferral
of significant amounts of renewal and enhancement work. Its debt increased to £22.8bn. Chief executive Bill Emery
said: ‘Given the current economic climate, it is absolutely critical that
Pendolino to monitor tracks and wires
A Virgin Pendolino has been fitted with overhead line and track monitoring equipment, which will be fed back to Network Rail to
complement the data gathered by its own measurement trains. The train, which has been named Alstom Pendolino, will also be used
to trial potential train modifications. The ‘Alstom’ branding is a tribute to the long-standing relationship between Virgin and the train’s manufacturer, which takes care of the fleet’s maintenance. The measurements gathered
will be passed to Network Rail’s monitoring centre at Derby and will be sent out to regional engineering teams as required. Ian Whiting, Network Rail’s
infrastructure development manager, said: ‘The data will be particularly useful if rough riding is reported and it will help us deal with things like temporary speed restrictions more quickly. Genuine data sharing is the objective.’
responded: ‘We recognise the imperative to getting best value for the British people by driving down costs. ‘Over the past five years the company has already taken out £6bn – or 27 per cent – from the cost of running the rail network and has made a good start on delivering a further 21 per cent by 2014. ‘The legacy of years of under-
investment meant we have started this race from well behind our European counterparts, but we are fast catching up.’
n See page 25 for Anna Walker’s comment
DB signs HS1 deal
Deutsche Bahn has signed an agreement with High Speed One Ltd, which will allow it to take forward its plan to run services through the Channel Tunnel. Ulrich Homburg, DB’s board
member for passenger services said: ‘This agreement confirms DB’s aspiration to connect London directly to cities in western Germany. We have now formalised the relationship between DB and HS1.’ The German operator is to begin building new ICE3 trains, to meet the tunnel’s safety standards, for authorisation in 2013.
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