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Monday 26 Jul 2004

OVER 2950 MAINTENANCE WORKERS BROUGHT BACK ‘IN-HOUSE’

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Network Rail took direct control for the maintenance of the infrastructure on the West Coast Mainline from contractor Carillion on Monday 26 July, which means 100% of the national rail network is now under direct company control. The move sees approximately 2950 workers coming across and continues Network Rail’s strategy of unifying the operation and maintenance of the railway. Robbie Burns, Network Rail’s Route Director for London North Western 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 Carillion have been very professional and without their help this major organisational change could not have happened as quickly or as smoothly as it has. “We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues to Network Rail.” The West Coast Mainline is part of Network Rail’s London North Western territory and covers the route out of London Euston, stretching the length of the country to as far north as Glasgow. Creating a single integrated rail maintenance operation will deliver three key benefits: · Consistent application of high standards of rail maintenance across the area. - more - Maintenance - 2 · Significant efficiency savings to be delivered from the annual maintenance budget. · Continued improvement in track-side safety standards. This 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 and include managerial and clerical staff, signalling technicians, track workers, overhead line technicians and fixed plant technicians.