Network Rail
Key News releases for the last 7 days..
Network Rail responds to ORR final determination
Thursday 31 Oct 2013
Network Rail today published its initial response to the Office of Rail Regulation’s (ORR) final determination for the period 2014 to 2019, CP5.
The ORR has recognised the significant progress the industry as a whole has made in the last decade on train performance, value for money, affordability, and, above all, safety as the company continues to meet unprecedented increases in passenger and freight demand at the same time as rebuilding our Victorian network.
Having received the final determinations today, the company has until the 7th February 2014 to respond in detail and accept or reject the determination.
David Higgins, chief executive, said: “The next five years for the railway will prove to be a critical challenge. A challenge to continue to respond to rising passenger demand and our need to grow and expand the network while at the same time juggling the ever harder challenges of improving performance, reducing cost and delivering huge investment projects from which substantial social and economic benefits flow.
“The determination has to be right to help the company, and the railway as a whole, succeed and deliver what’s needed by passengers, freight users and the taxpayer. We must now look at the individual targets within the determination, as well as the package as a whole and welcome the opportunity provided by the ORR to use the coming months to seek clarification and work through the detail.”
Rail safety in Hertfordshire to improve as bridges replace three level crossings
Wednesday 30 Oct 2013
Work to replace three level crossings in Hertfordshire with modern, safer alternatives is set to begin over the coming weeks as part of Network Rail’s national level crossing safety improvement programme.
Having received the final determinations today, the company has until the 7th February 2014 to respond in detail and accept or reject the determination.
David Higgins, chief executive, said: “The next five years for the railway will prove to be a critical challenge. A challenge to continue to respond to rising passenger demand and our need to grow and expand the network while at the same time juggling the ever harder challenges of improving performance, reducing cost and delivering huge investment projects from which substantial social and economic benefits flow.
“The determination has to be right to help the company, and the railway as a whole, succeed and deliver what’s needed by passengers, freight users and the taxpayer. We must now look at the individual targets within the determination, as well as the package as a whole and welcome the opportunity provided by the ORR to use the coming months to seek clarification and work through the detail.”
Notes:
- Network Rail has until 7th February to decide whether to formally accept the final determination or to seek an appeal through the Competition Commission
- Control Period 5 (CP5) is due to run from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2019
- The process sees Network Rail publish a detail delivery plan on the 31 March, outlining the detail of what it will deliver with detail on the investment profile and projects planned for the rail network across the country
Rail safety in Hertfordshire to improve as bridges replace three level crossings
Wednesday 30 Oct 2013
Work to replace three level crossings in Hertfordshire with modern, safer alternatives is set to begin over the coming weeks as part of Network Rail’s national level crossing safety improvement programme.
The three level crossings at Thorley, Mansers and Cadmore Lane will be replaced by either a footbridge or a cycle bridge, enabling the public to cross the railway safely. The closures have been enabled by the support of Hertfordshire County Council and Broxborough Borough Council, and follow the closure of Johnson’s level crossing in 2012, also part of Network Rail’s efforts to reduce the risk of accidents taking place at level crossings.
Richard Schofield, route managing director, Network Rail, said: “Where a road, footpath or cycleway meets the railway there will always be a certain level of risk to motorists or pedestrians. Network Rail is committed to reduce that risk as much as possible, so if we can close a level crossing and replace it with alternative means of crossing the railway, we will.
“Safety is our number one priority. By working closely with our local authority partners, the new bridges at these Hertfordshire level crossings will provide the public with a much safer route across the railway.”
Trains travelling at high speed frequently pass through Thorley level crossing. After receiving planning approval this summer, work to build a stepped footbridge is now due to begin on 18 November 2013. This will be completed by the end of March 2014, when the level crossing will close permanently.
Work on a replacement stepped footbridge at Mansers level crossing, near Bingley Way, Hoddesdon - which has seen three instances of misuse in the last six months alone – is due to start in the coming weeks. Completion of this programme of work is currently scheduled for the end of January 2014.
Cadmore Lane has been identified as one of the Anglia route’s top 50 high risk level crossings, owing to the large number of users and frequent train services that pass through. Hertfordshire County Council and Broxbourne Borough Council are each contributing £155,000 towards the £2m total fund required to close the crossing, which will be replaced with a ramped cycle bridge by the end of February 2014, providing easier access for the public.
Terry Douris, Cabinet Member for Highways at Hertfordshire County Council, said, “It goes without saying that in Hertfordshire our principal concern is people's safety coupled with ways to increase the amount of walking and cycling journeys in Hertfordshire to improve public health. We have committed to provide a contribution towards the Cadmore Lane Bridge to ensure that the proposed structure at this location is suitable for cyclist and pedestrians alike to access the Lea Valley Park.”
Network Rail has closed over 700 level crossings across Britain since 2009 as part of its £130m investment programme to improve level crossing safety.
Excavation of new Crossrail dive-under begins at Acton
The excavation of 34,000 tonnes of earth for a new rail underpass just outside Acton Main Line station has begun as part of works to prepare the route for the full arrival of Crossrail services in 2019.
When Crossrail opens it will increase London's rail-based transport network capacity by 10%, supporting regeneration and cutting journey times across the city. Crossrail services are due to commence through central London in 2018.
Network Rail is a key partner in Crossrail. Network Rail is responsible for the design, development and delivery of the parts of Crossrail that are on the existing network. Its work will integrate Crossrail with the national rail network. The work includes upgrading 43 miles of track, improving 27 stations, and work on 20 bridges.
The exact opening strategy for Crossrail has not yet been finalised but the current planning assumption is that Crossrail services will be introduced as follows:
New footbridge opened in North Sheen
A new footbridge which provides a safe route across the railway near North Sheen station has been opened by Zac Goldsmith MP and Richmond upon Thames council leader, Lord True.
Ready to depart for Laverton on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in the Cotswolds.
Commissioned by a volunteer working on the GWR.
Original oil painting size 20in x16in.
The image is published in the Cornishman Quarterley Magazine, issue 125 relating to the GWR Trust. (C) Kevin Allun Parrish
Click HERE to see, and buy, a "Parrish Painting"....
MENA Rail News
Middle East North Africa
USD 15.5 Billion GCC Rail Network to Begin Building in 2014
The GCC Rail Network, linking all six member countries, will begin being built in 2014. This should be complete by 2018. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have already begun building their parts, while Oman has started design work.
The chief difficulty in building such an ambitious project is inter country bureaucracy. This includes issues with customs and excise and even standardisation of the railways themselves. A GCC Railway Authority has been set up after agreement by Transport Ministers to work through the issues and quandaries between individual member states.
A new railway causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain is to be built too. A design contract will be awarded in November 2013 for this. The network should boost trade and co-operation between all member countries, with a secure and effective freight and passenger network ensuring trade through the region and reducing congestion on the road networks. It will also stimulate industry.
GCC countries will build the sections within their own territories individually, linking the network at the borders. Detailed design work should be complete late this year or early next year, with engineering work beginning shortly after.
Railway Tunnel Linking Asia to Europe Opened on 29 October
Amidst great fanfare the first ever railway tunnel linking Europe to Asia under the Bosporus opened on the 29th October.
The project has been over 150 years in the minds of Turkish officials but actually began in 2005 due to financial and design limitations. Istanbul being in one of the most active earthquake zones in the world, only modern building technology can ensure the safety of passengers and freight – it is claimed that the tunnel, which runs parallel to the seismic fault, will withstand a 9.0 magnitude earthquake.
The tunnel is the deepest in the world, sitting 62 metres below sea level. For the first time, trains will be able to travel from China to Europe non stop, though this will happen in a year or so – only two stations have been opened on the 13.6 km tunnel for the time being. One major project being built is one to Georgia, which will take several million tonnes of freight through the tunnel annually.
The opening ceremony coincides with the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic. Leaders from around the region attended the festivities, which mark a milestone in global rail travel.
Oman to Start Building Railway Network in 2014
Oman’s government has announced that it is to fast track its railway building, beginning construction in late 2014. The 2244 km network will crisscross the country but eventually link neighbouring countries Yemen and the UAE as part of the GCC Railway Network.
Contracts for the USD $15bn railway network will be handed out in the coming year. The Oman Railway Company will award the Project Management Consultancy in the early part of 2014.
Italferr, the Italian railways company, has won the Preliminary Design Contract. They have already decided to use a Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) system which will enable heavier freight trains and faster passenger trains to use the network.
The network will link several major towns and cities in the country, and is hoped will boost the economy which largely relies on oil exports for trade. The Sultanate’s government expects the network to be fully operational by the end of 2018.
This project is part of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s USD $200bn GCC Railway Network which will link the six participating countries by rail over the coming years, boosting the region as a global logistics hub.
Richard Schofield, route managing director, Network Rail, said: “Where a road, footpath or cycleway meets the railway there will always be a certain level of risk to motorists or pedestrians. Network Rail is committed to reduce that risk as much as possible, so if we can close a level crossing and replace it with alternative means of crossing the railway, we will.
“Safety is our number one priority. By working closely with our local authority partners, the new bridges at these Hertfordshire level crossings will provide the public with a much safer route across the railway.”
Trains travelling at high speed frequently pass through Thorley level crossing. After receiving planning approval this summer, work to build a stepped footbridge is now due to begin on 18 November 2013. This will be completed by the end of March 2014, when the level crossing will close permanently.
Work on a replacement stepped footbridge at Mansers level crossing, near Bingley Way, Hoddesdon - which has seen three instances of misuse in the last six months alone – is due to start in the coming weeks. Completion of this programme of work is currently scheduled for the end of January 2014.
Cadmore Lane has been identified as one of the Anglia route’s top 50 high risk level crossings, owing to the large number of users and frequent train services that pass through. Hertfordshire County Council and Broxbourne Borough Council are each contributing £155,000 towards the £2m total fund required to close the crossing, which will be replaced with a ramped cycle bridge by the end of February 2014, providing easier access for the public.
Terry Douris, Cabinet Member for Highways at Hertfordshire County Council, said, “It goes without saying that in Hertfordshire our principal concern is people's safety coupled with ways to increase the amount of walking and cycling journeys in Hertfordshire to improve public health. We have committed to provide a contribution towards the Cadmore Lane Bridge to ensure that the proposed structure at this location is suitable for cyclist and pedestrians alike to access the Lea Valley Park.”
Network Rail has closed over 700 level crossings across Britain since 2009 as part of its £130m investment programme to improve level crossing safety.
Excavation of new Crossrail dive-under begins at Acton
The excavation of 34,000 tonnes of earth for a new rail underpass just outside Acton Main Line station has begun as part of works to prepare the route for the full arrival of Crossrail services in 2019.
The dive-under is needed so that trains leaving the Acton freight yard do not delay passenger trains heading towards Acton Main Line and on to central London.
Currently freight trains enter and leave the freight yard by crossing the mainline passenger tracks. The new dive-under will allow the trains to access the yard without affecting passenger services, increasing capacity and reliability.
The start of excavation follows nearly two years of work to re-configure the freight yard. The work on the dive-under is being managed by Network Rail and is expected to last until 2016.
Matthew White, Crossrail’s surface director said: “The dive-under at Acton is a vital part of the Crossrail works in west London, helping to ensure a fast, frequent and reliable service for passengers when full services start in 2019.”
Rob McIntosh, Crossrail programme director, Network Rail, said: “The Acton dive-under is one of the most complex infrastructure structures we are delivering for Crossrail. The new dive-under will ensure the activities of this important freight yard, which services the London network, are secured when the Crossrail services begin. The team has worked closely with principal contractors BAM Nuttall to achieve this milestone and over the coming months we will really be able to see the dive-under structure emerge.”
Crossrail will transform public transport, making it quicker and easier for people to get to a range of destinations across London and the South East. Residents in west London and Berkshire will benefit from new trains, frequent services and better stations as part of the project.
Network Rail is responsible for the design, development and delivery of the parts of Crossrail that are on the existing network. The work includes upgrading 43 miles of track as well as improving 27 stations from Maidenhead in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.
Notes:
The Crossrail route will pass through 38 stations and run more than 100 km from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 21 km (13 miles) tunnels below central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.When Crossrail opens it will increase London's rail-based transport network capacity by 10%, supporting regeneration and cutting journey times across the city. Crossrail services are due to commence through central London in 2018.
Network Rail is a key partner in Crossrail. Network Rail is responsible for the design, development and delivery of the parts of Crossrail that are on the existing network. Its work will integrate Crossrail with the national rail network. The work includes upgrading 43 miles of track, improving 27 stations, and work on 20 bridges.
The exact opening strategy for Crossrail has not yet been finalised but the current planning assumption is that Crossrail services will be introduced as follows:
- Heathrow to Paddington (mainline platforms) – May 2018 (when the Crossrail concession takes over the Heathrow Connect service)
- Paddington (Crossrail platforms) to Abbey Wood – December 2018
- Paddington (Crossrail platforms) to Shenfield – May 2019
- Full through service (including services to Maidenhead) – December 2019
A new footbridge which provides a safe route across the railway near North Sheen station has been opened by Zac Goldsmith MP and Richmond upon Thames council leader, Lord True.
The bridge was built by the Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance after discussion and consultation with the local community. It crosses the busy route between Staines and Clapham Junction and a competition was held in the local area to help develop the bridge’s design.
Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, said: “The bridge is the culmination of a very active local campaign by residents, and I’m enormously grateful that Network Rail and South West Trains have listened and acted. The look of the new bridge is based on the winning design at a well-attended and very feisty local competition, and there is no doubt it will make crossing the tracks safer and easier for a great many residents.”
Councillor Lord True, leader of Richmond Council said: “As part of our commitment to village planning and community involvement, we have supported the local community in negotiating with Network Rail and South West Trains the right bridge for the local area. Councillor Speak, the deputy mayor, has been engaged from the outset as both resident and councillor. Full credit to him and to local residents and I am pleased that pedestrians can now safely cross the railway at North Sheen at all times.”
Sam McCarthy, commercial director for the Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance, said: “Safety is always our number one priority and this bridge provides the public with a safe route to cross this busy section of railway. The alliance is committed to improving level crossing safety wherever possible across our rail network and this is the latest example of where investment is making this a reality. The bridge was designed in conjunction with the local community and is a positive addition to the North Sheen area.”
The level crossing is heavily used by both pedestrians and vehicles and the bridge will provide pedestrians with a safe route across the railway at all times of the day.
Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, said: “The bridge is the culmination of a very active local campaign by residents, and I’m enormously grateful that Network Rail and South West Trains have listened and acted. The look of the new bridge is based on the winning design at a well-attended and very feisty local competition, and there is no doubt it will make crossing the tracks safer and easier for a great many residents.”
Councillor Lord True, leader of Richmond Council said: “As part of our commitment to village planning and community involvement, we have supported the local community in negotiating with Network Rail and South West Trains the right bridge for the local area. Councillor Speak, the deputy mayor, has been engaged from the outset as both resident and councillor. Full credit to him and to local residents and I am pleased that pedestrians can now safely cross the railway at North Sheen at all times.”
Sam McCarthy, commercial director for the Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance, said: “Safety is always our number one priority and this bridge provides the public with a safe route to cross this busy section of railway. The alliance is committed to improving level crossing safety wherever possible across our rail network and this is the latest example of where investment is making this a reality. The bridge was designed in conjunction with the local community and is a positive addition to the North Sheen area.”
The level crossing is heavily used by both pedestrians and vehicles and the bridge will provide pedestrians with a safe route across the railway at all times of the day.
Ready to depart for Laverton on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in the Cotswolds.
Commissioned by a volunteer working on the GWR.
Original oil painting size 20in x16in.
The image is published in the Cornishman Quarterley Magazine, issue 125 relating to the GWR Trust. (C) Kevin Allun Parrish
Click HERE to see, and buy, a "Parrish Painting"....
MENA Rail News
Middle East North Africa
USD 15.5 Billion GCC Rail Network to Begin Building in 2014
The GCC Rail Network, linking all six member countries, will begin being built in 2014. This should be complete by 2018. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have already begun building their parts, while Oman has started design work.
The chief difficulty in building such an ambitious project is inter country bureaucracy. This includes issues with customs and excise and even standardisation of the railways themselves. A GCC Railway Authority has been set up after agreement by Transport Ministers to work through the issues and quandaries between individual member states.
A new railway causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain is to be built too. A design contract will be awarded in November 2013 for this. The network should boost trade and co-operation between all member countries, with a secure and effective freight and passenger network ensuring trade through the region and reducing congestion on the road networks. It will also stimulate industry.
GCC countries will build the sections within their own territories individually, linking the network at the borders. Detailed design work should be complete late this year or early next year, with engineering work beginning shortly after.
Railway Tunnel Linking Asia to Europe Opened on 29 October
Amidst great fanfare the first ever railway tunnel linking Europe to Asia under the Bosporus opened on the 29th October.
The project has been over 150 years in the minds of Turkish officials but actually began in 2005 due to financial and design limitations. Istanbul being in one of the most active earthquake zones in the world, only modern building technology can ensure the safety of passengers and freight – it is claimed that the tunnel, which runs parallel to the seismic fault, will withstand a 9.0 magnitude earthquake.
The tunnel is the deepest in the world, sitting 62 metres below sea level. For the first time, trains will be able to travel from China to Europe non stop, though this will happen in a year or so – only two stations have been opened on the 13.6 km tunnel for the time being. One major project being built is one to Georgia, which will take several million tonnes of freight through the tunnel annually.
The opening ceremony coincides with the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic. Leaders from around the region attended the festivities, which mark a milestone in global rail travel.
Oman to Start Building Railway Network in 2014
Oman’s government has announced that it is to fast track its railway building, beginning construction in late 2014. The 2244 km network will crisscross the country but eventually link neighbouring countries Yemen and the UAE as part of the GCC Railway Network.
Contracts for the USD $15bn railway network will be handed out in the coming year. The Oman Railway Company will award the Project Management Consultancy in the early part of 2014.
Italferr, the Italian railways company, has won the Preliminary Design Contract. They have already decided to use a Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) system which will enable heavier freight trains and faster passenger trains to use the network.
The network will link several major towns and cities in the country, and is hoped will boost the economy which largely relies on oil exports for trade. The Sultanate’s government expects the network to be fully operational by the end of 2018.
This project is part of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s USD $200bn GCC Railway Network which will link the six participating countries by rail over the coming years, boosting the region as a global logistics hub.
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