To improve punctuality and reliability, Great Britain focuses on massive investments in rail infrastructure projects, as the government clearly emphasises the importance of railways for economic growth and connectivity. The investment scheme from 2019 to 2024 includes the allocation of over EUR 54 billion to railways, with the government’s share amounting to EUR 39 billion.
With a network of over 32,000 km, 40,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts, as well as 18 of the country’s major stations (2,500 stations are operated by private companies, Network Rail is implementing the biggest rail infrastructure modernisation programme since the Victorian age. The most important projects are Thameslink and Crossrail, the modernisation and electrification of Great Western Main Line from Paddington to Cardiff and new railways, such as Borders in Scotland. For 2018, the company’s plan includes launching the first passenger transport services on the Elizabeth Line (or Crossrail) which links London to South East and the finalisation of Thameslink programme, including the reconstruction of London Bridge Station, which will improve the frequency of services, as well as connections on the north-south axis.
Network Rail’s objectives for 2019 include the opening of the entire Elizabeth Line, the electrification of Midland Mainline to Kettering and Corby, as well as the finalisation of Great Western electrification, between Cardiff and London.
With an investment average of GBP 130 million per week (EUR 147 million), Network Rail plans to upgrade its railway network so that 5,700 new coaches will be put into service until 2021.
Control Periods are elaborated to upgrade and develop the British infrastructure setting the investment level for projects with increasingly bigger sums. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has recently announced the next plan for 2019-2024 including record investments allocated by the British Government. For the Control Period 6 (CP6), GBP 47.9 billion (EUR 54,2 billion) will be invested in railway infrastructure projects. GBP 34.7 billion (EUR 39.27 billion) of the amount will be allocated directly through a government grant, while the remainder will come from a combination of track access charges and incomes from other resources, such as Network Rail’s property portfolio. These sums will be debated during the regulation procedure expected at the middle of next year, while the finalisation of the procedure is due in October 2018.
“This investment is about boosting reliability and punctuality for millions of journeys, and we will do this alongside building major upgrades around the country and delivering new, faster, more comfortable trains,” Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said.
In July 2017, the Secretary of State for Transport published the High-Level Output Specification (HLOS) which sets the guidelines of CP6, as well as the situation of available funds, SoFA (Statement of Funds Available) to support the periodic review process. HLOS focuses on the operation, maintenance and renewal of infrastructure to deliver reliable passenger transport services as the Government is determined to make rail transport concentrate more on what matters for passengers, such as punctuality and reliability. Moreover, railway reliability plays a vital part in supporting economic growth and the creation of connections in the country. And the government committed to adopt measures to reach these objectives, said Grayling. Also, based on the independent consultation of Office of Rail and Road and the industry, the Government acknowledged the necessity to increase the volume of renewal activities within CP6 to improve safety and punctuality.
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