Rail Regulator publishes conclusions in review of costs for programme of station improvements

6 August 2003
ORR/16/03

The Rail Regulator, Tom Winsor, today published his final conclusions in his review of Network Rail's programme of improvements to stations.

This review, which was announced in the Regulator's periodic review final conclusions, published in October 2000, has established the efficient cost for which new facilities could be delivered for a programme of station improvements across the network. The planned enhancements required by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) include improvements to passengers' personal security, and to information systems, waiting facilities and toilets.

The SRA has confirmed which facilities it wishes to buy at 68 stations (a list of stations is attached) and has now signed a contract with Network Rail to carry out the work. Work on the programme is expected to commence shortly.
Since acquiring Railtrack in October 2002 and following the Regulator's provisional conclusions (published in April 2003), Network Rail has identified management actions which should produce significant savings, and these savings are reflected in the Regulator's final assessment.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Regulator's final assessment of the efficient costs of the programme of £25.6 million is around half the estimate set out in his provisional conclusions (£53.4 million): the main reason for this is the reduction in the scope of the programme from 129 stations to 68 stations due to the SRA's budget constraints.
2. The Regulator's document Stations incremental output statements (IOS) interim review: Final conclusions for stage 1 was published on 06 August 2003. This document is available here, and also from the ORR Librarian, Sue MacSwan, 1 Waterhouse Square, 138-142 Holborn, London EC1N 2TQ, tel: 020 7282 2001, fax: 020 7282 2045, e-mail: rail.library@orr.gsi.gov.uk.
3. The Regulator's document Stations incremental output statements (IOS) interim review: Provisional conclusions for stage 1 was published on 3 April 2003. This document is available here, and also from the ORR Librarian.
4. On 23 July 2002, the Regulator launched a consultation on this cost review. This document is available here, and from the ORR Librarian.
5. Following responses to the consultation document published on 23 July 2002, the Regulator initiated this review on 5 December 2002. The letter initiating the review is available here.
6. A list of the stations is available.

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