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Network Rail’s 11^th annual general meeting has taken place today in Cardiff, at which chief executive David Higgins set out the progress made by the company in improving Britain’s railways over the past year. Highlights include:

More than 180 apprentices have joined up with railway maintenance teams across Britain for on-the-job training after successfully completing the first year of Network Rail’s advanced apprenticeship scheme.

The closure of Moors Gorse level crossing in Cannock Chase, Staffordshire means Network Rail has now closed 700 level crossings across Britain – around 10 per cent of the total – since 2009 as part of its £130m national level crossing investment programme.

Network Rail has published its technical strategy, outlining the research and development priorities and opportunities for the next 30 years.

The newest addition to Network Rail’s train fleet has left the depot for the first time on a series of test runs.

Network Rail today publishes its ‘alternative solutions’ network route utilisation strategy – the result of a wide-ranging consultation with industry stakeholders and which looks at future, cost-effective options for growth.

The study examines five main areas for development: further use of trams, tram trains, hybrid light rail, innovative ideas for electrification and further expansion of community rail initiatives.

Punctuality on the railways reached 93.1% during Period 3, according to monthly performance data released today by Network Rail, the joint best period 3 recorded.

Network Rail today revealed details of a series of projects, worth nearly £40m, aimed at improving the reliability of the infrastructure and punctuality of train services on Britain’s busiest mixed-use railway line.