Media centre

Monday 26 Jul 2004

OVER 1000 MAINTENANCE WORKERS COME BACK ‘IN-HOUSE’ TO NETWORK RAIL

Region & Route:

| Southern

On Saturday 24 July, Network Rail took direct control of the maintenance of railway infrastructure on the West Anglia route from contractor AMEC.  The West Anglia route is part of Network Rail’s South East territory and incorporates the main line from London Liverpool Street to King’s Lynn via Cambridge, including a link to Stansted Airport. This transfer forms the final piece of the maintenance jigsaw, with 100% of the national rail network now under the direct control of Network Rail.  The move sees approximately 1000 workers transferring in-house and continues Network Rail’s strategy of unifying the operation and maintenance of the railway. Jon Wiseman, Network Rail’s Route Director for West Anglia said: “Rail maintenance is a central part of Network Rail’s operation.  Unifying maintenance and the operation of the railway under one roof will bring many benefits and help to deliver a better railway for the passenger. “The management and staff of AMEC have been very professional and without their help this major change could not have happened as quickly or as smoothly as it has.       We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues to Network Rail.” Creating a single integrated rail maintenance operation will deliver three key benefits: ·                Consistent application of high standards of rail maintenance along the route ·                Significant efficiency savings to be delivered from the annual maintenance budget ·                Continued improvement in track-side safety standards - more - Maintenance - 2 The move forms part of Network Rail’s key strategic decision to bring rail maintenance in-house - the most fundamental restructuring of Britain’s railway since British Rail was reorganised in 1994, two years before privatisation.  The transfer is the culmination of months of planning and preparation and ensures that maintenance is carried out by a permanent workforce of well-trained individuals committed to a strong safety culture. The new employees are an experienced and skilled workforce, including managerial and clerical staff, signalling technicians, track workers, overhead line technicians and fixed plant technicians.