Network Rail has given the ‘green-light’ to the funding package and spending plan for Britain’s railway infrastructure for the five years to 2024 (known as Control Period 6, or CP6 – 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2024).

Network Rail is refurbishing its snow ploughs for the first time in 20 years to improve performance and reliability.

Network Rail is boosting its capacity to identify and fix track defects using cutting edge technology, reducing delays caused by track faults, improving safety and saving the taxpayer millions of pounds.

Network Rail have announced preferred bidders to deliver the next decade of rail system – anything needed to make the rail system work including track, points, overhead lines and signalling -  contracts in Scotland and the South of England. 

Richard Turner has been appointed as Network Rail’s first dedicated head of apprenticeship delivery to develop new programmes and help widen access to careers in the rail industry.

• Network Rail reports 2.3% total sales growth at its managed stations during the festive period, despite difficult wider trading environment
• Figures point to continued trend in convenience shopping, with increasing numbers using stations as a one-stop-shop for a range of products
• Top performing stations were London Bridge and Paddington, showing link between Network Rail investment and retail sales growth

Network Rail has announced further multi-million-pound contract awards for Control Period 6 (2019-2024), worth a total of £467m.

Just like road and air travel, wintry weather can pose challenges for the rail network, with its effects ranging from speed restrictions on exposed routes, to services being suspended due to avalanches.