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2015-05-31 RDG-001
Rail Delivery Group
Review of planning and timing of rail improvement works published
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Press release
Rail Delivery Group
Review of planning and timing of rail improvement works published
An independent report on the Planning and timing of engineering works on the GB rail network, commissioned by the Secretary of State for Transport, has today been published by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).
The review, led by Anton Valk, was commissioned following significant disruption to services into and out of London on 27 and 28 December 2014, prompted primarily by overrunning works.
The review concludes that the scope for carrying out major improvement works in and around London other than at Christmas and Easter, is extremely limited; but that the industry could reduce the risk of overruns at these times by moving work which does not need major closures of the network to other points in the year and improve the efficiency of its planning and operational processes.
The RDG response to the review is also published today. The response broadly supports the conclusions of the review, which the RDG believes confirms its view that the way forward lies in more extensive implementation of existing initiatives or approaches well-known to the industry, driven primarily by stronger high-level commitment from Network Rail and train operators.
Commenting on the report’s publication, lead author Anton Valk, said: “Major improvement works – such as those carried out last Christmas – are crucial to the continued improvement of Britain’s railway. This independent review will be key to driving change and I look forward to seeing the rail industry working together, providing the necessary leadership to deliver on these vital recommendations”.
Michael Roberts, Director-General of the RDG said: “There will never be a good time to close parts of the railway, but with £38bn being spent on our network in the five years to 2019, the industry aims to ensure passenger disruption is kept to a minimum. We are now focused on developing a delivery plan to follow up the report’s recommendations”.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The independent report Planning and Timing of Engineering Works on the GB Rail Network was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Transport and published by the Rail Delivery Group.
The review’s terms of reference were published on the RDG website.
The report is authored by Anton Valk (lead author), Graham Smith and Christopher Garnett.
Railnews Archive ::: 2015-05-31 RDG-001
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