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Notes to editors

The Industry Strategic Business Plans are available at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/publications/strategic-business-plan-for-cp5/

The Industry Strategic Business Plans explain the work that the Rail Delivery Group is undertaking to inform the ISBP

“The industry is taking responsibility for its future through RDG, which brings together senior leaders of the rail industry. RDG has initiated a number of working groups to examine opportunities to deliver efficiencies across the industry including asset, programme and supply chain management, contractual and regulatory reform, train utilisation, and technology, innovation and working practices. A work stream to examine the opportunities to reduce the costs of major projects through greater industry engagement in the development and delivery of enhancement schemes has also recently been started.

"The initial findings of these working groups have informed the development of both this Industry SBP and Network Rail’s SBP, as well as the forecasts of efficiency included in these plans. Network Rail has set out its commitment to deliver 18 per cent efficiency by the end of CP5. The RDG work provides Network Rail with greater confidence it can deliver this level of efficiency and the potential to go beyond it. RDG will continue to develop a more comprehensive assessment of the possible efficiencies to inform industry plans for CP5.The RDG working groups have also identified opportunities to improve the efficiency of delivering train services. The potential delivery of these will require reform of the franchising and regulatory framework as part of an early re-commencement of the franchising programme. The longer these enablers are delayed, the smaller the opportunity will be for train operators to deliver efficiencies in CP5 beyond those committed within existing franchise agreements.”

1. The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) brings together the owners of Britain's Train Operating Companies, Freight Operating Companies and Network Rail to provide leadership to Britain's rail industry.

2. The priorities being pursued by the Rail Delivery Group are

• Providing leadership to Britain’s rail industry;

• Improving the asset, programme and supply-chain management of the rail industry through closer co-operation between Network Rail, operators and suppliers;

• Introducing flexible commercial and contractual agreements within the industry, between industry and Government and between the industry and its suppliers;

• Embracing technology and innovation in the working environment to enhance the contribution made by one of the industry’s key assets, its workforce;

• Identifying ways to improve the utilisation of the train fleet by reviewing demand management, service specification and operating practices;

• Finding ways to improve value for money in rolling stock procurement;

• Working with the Technical Strategy Leadership Group to produce the Rail Technical Strategy; and

• Improving the industry’s planning by guiding the production of the Initial Industry Plan and the Strategic Business Plan.

3. The Rail Delivery Group will focus on industry-wide issues in the context of the need for improved service to rail users and value for money to the taxpayer. The RDG will not duplicate or over-ride the primary accountability for delivery in the UK rail industry (which remains with the passenger and freight train operators and Network Rail) or the need for much stronger collaboration between these companies at a local level.

4. RDG will co-ordinate the objectives for key cross-industry groups including National Task Force (NTF), Planning Oversight Group (POG) and Technical Strategy Leadership Group (TSLG).

5. RDG members are the representatives from the owning groups of the passenger and freight train operators and Network Rail.

• The Chairman is Tim O’Toole, Chief Executive of First Group

• The deputy Chairman is Sir David Higgins, Chief Executive of Network Rail

• The Secretary is Graham Smith