ORR announces scope of investigation into Network Rail’s New Year engineering over-run
8 January 2008
ORR/02/08
The Office of Rail Regulation has today given further details of its urgent investigation into Network Rail’s management of engineering projects.
ORR’s investigation will focus on:
- the New Year over-running engineering works;
- the unacceptable impact this had on train operators passengers, and freight customers;
- the robustness of Network Rail’s plans for the work to enhance the West Coast Main line, scheduled to be completed by December 2008; and
- Network Rail’s approach to planning and managing major projects on the railways.
Chris Bolt, ORR Chairman, said: “Passengers were badly let down by Network Rail’s handling of its Christmas and New Year engineering programme. Now we, as their regulator, must look into how those failings came about, and decide what action needs to be taken to prevent similar problems happening again.
“Our investigation into Network Rail’s planning and management of these projects will be extensive and thorough. Our investigation will focus both on events over Christmas and the New Year and on Network Rail’s management of the West Coast programme generally. We will determine whether the company is breaching its licence to operate the network, and if so what remedial action it needs to take.”
ORR will publish its findings before the end of February.
Notes to editors
- A copy of the letter sent to Network Rail today setting out the terms of reference for its investigation is available at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/mon-let-NR-IC_080108.pdf.
- ORR has asked Network Rail and stakeholders for representations as part of its investigation. If it concludes that there is a present or likely future breach of Network Rail’s licence, ORR can impose an enforcement order requiring Network Rail to take remedial action. If it concludes that there is a past or present breach, it can impose a financial penalty. There is a statutory process to be followed in each of these circumstances.
- Further details of ORR’s policy are set out in ORR’s Economic enforcement policy and penalties statement: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/287a.pdf
- ORR fined Network Rail £2.4m for project planning and management failings following the overrun of signalling work in the Portsmouth area at Christmas 2006: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.8836
- The works on the West Coast Main line at Rugby are an important part of the works to enable a new timetable to operate on the West Coast Main line in December 2008.
Press enquiries
ORR Press Office – 020 7282 2188/2007
