Private companies will be asked to compete to directly deliver and invest in railway projects under new reforms aimed at driving innovation and efficiency.

 

Network Rail plans to unlock new sources of funding to potentially deliver improvements for passengers that otherwise might not happen, it announced this week.

 

“A growing railway drives the economy, jobs and housing, and by welcoming open competition into the core of our business we will increase the pace of innovation, creativity and efficiency,” said the organisation’s chief executive Mark Carne.

 

“I am determined to create an environment where innovative third party companies can compete for and directly deliver railway projects.”

 

The reforms will see a regular pipeline of third party project opportunities published alongside a clear service level agreement.

 

A rewards scheme will also be launched where money saved from introducing a new innovation is shared between Network Rail and the third party. One example of such a deal is an agreement with signalling specialist Resonate which will see the firm introduce its digital traffic management system into the signalling and control systems for the main lines out of London Paddington.

 

The changes mark a “welcome, positive approach” from Network Rail “which has previously resisted such radical steps”, according to the Railway Industry Association’s chief executive Darren Caplan. “We are excited by the opportunities we see to innovate with these reforms,” he added.

 

Civil Engineering Contractors Association director of external affairs Marie-Claude Hemming said: “Civil engineering contractors will welcome this announcement if it brings additional investment, which will secure better outcomes for passengers through the upgrading of the network.”

 

♦ Five new railway stations are to be built across England and Wales following the award of £16M worth of Government investment from the Department for Transport’s new stations fund.

 

The successful bidders are Horden Peterlee in County Durham, Warrington West in Cheshire, Reading Green Park in Berkshire, Bow Street in Ceredigion and Portway Parkway in Bristol.

 

All of the stations are set to be completed by March 2020. “New stations are proven to have a hugely positive effect on local areas, acting as a catalyst for regeneration driving social and economic improvements,” said Network Rail Property managing director David Biggs.

 

(Photo: Network Rail)