Media centre

Friday 29 Jul 2005

OVER £100 MILLION MAINTENANCE BIRTHDAY PRESENT TO THE RAILWAY

Region & Route:

National

Network Rail is celebrating the first anniversary of one of the most complex corporate acquisitions ever seen in the UK.  A year has passed since the maintenance work of seven maintenance contractors in 20 maintenance areas with more than 15,000 employees, 5,000 road vehicles, 600 depots and a network of training centres all came under Network Rail direct control. Network Rail’s Chief Executive John Armitt said “The impact of maintenance being brought in house has been significant; more than £100 million has been saved in the last year, train delays have been reduced by some 17%, and the condition of the rail infrastructure itself has markedly improved.  “Bringing maintenance in-house, together with the operation of the railway has brought many benefits and is helping to build a better railway for passengers and freight operating companies.” The rail regulator set a 31% cost saving for Network Rail for the five year period 2004-2009, and savings of 8% have already been achieved in the first year.  Millions of pounds have already been saved through cutting out the middle men in supply chains and reducing corporate costs. John Armitt added: “We are aiming to save hundreds of millions over the next four years.   By continuing to work smarter by cutting out duplication, realising efficiencies, embracing new technology and investing in the workforce, we will continue to reduce costs.” Investment has already taken place with more than £10 million spent on upgrading depots around the country improving facilities including better lighting at car parks, proper drying rooms and personal lockers for the thousands of maintenance workers across the network.  The company has also invested in improving physical railway access points, IT equipment and plant and small tools all aimed at helping our workforce to do a better job. A specific workforce safety campaign ‘Safety 365’ has been implemented setting tough targets of accident free days for the maintenance teams.  Network Rail’s maintenance team is also looking to the future through the establishment of one of the UK’s biggest apprenticeship schemes.  Over the next five years around 1000 17-19 year olds will be trained for roles in maintenance with the first year’s intake starting Network Rail’s advanced apprenticeship scheme in September.  Additionally, five new training centres are planned to provide essential technical training to our existing employees and we are continuing to encourage young people into the industry via our sponsorship of a foundation degree in Railway Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University.  The company is also boosting its annual graduate intake to meet the needs of an expanded workforce.