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Network Rail monitor

The Network Rail monitor is an important tool we use to hold Network Rail to account. We publish the monitor quarterly. It sets out how we think Network Rail is doing in delivering its obligations to its customers and funders and highlights any areas of concern.

Network Rail monitor publication dates are also available.

The latest monitor is for Q2 2011-12:

A summary of the Network Rail monitor follows below. Click on the headings to navigate to the main sections of the publication.

Customer service

Network Rail is to pilot a methodology to assess its overall customer service capability. We are pleased there was industry agreement on Network Rail’s plans for reducing traction current losses and we will monitor progress of the work.

Network Rail reform

We support the Network Rail devolution which took effect in November. We are monitoring how it manages the change to check for proper management of safety and other risks.

We also welcome Network Rail’s continued work to develop proposals for alliances with train operating companies, introduce contestability into project design and delivery and let an infrastructure concession. Both we and Network Rail are clear that closer working arrangements with one operator must not be at the expense of disadvantaging others and there is the means to take corrective action through the network licence, track access agreements and the network code.

Passenger train performance

Although many passengers continue to experience good levels of performance others do not, particularly on key long distance routes and in Scotland. We appreciate that some aspects of current performance go wider than Network Rail alone and that train operators will need to play a part in resolving them. However, Network Rail is now unlikely to deliver most of the 2011-12 performance requirements established by the 2008 Periodic Review. We regard this as evidence of a possible licence breach and wrote to the company saying this in November. We are now considering its response and will then decide whether we need to take formal action.

Freight train performance

The level of Network Rail caused delay to freight trains remains well adrift of the regulatory requirement. This is also covered by the letter referred to above.

Developing the network

Overall Network Rail remains on course to complete its programme of enhancement works. Development work on Crossrail continues and the first major phase of the Thameslink programme is on course for successful completion this month, enabling 12 car trains to operate across London.

Timescales for some projects are still at risk where decisions on rolling stock plans have still to be confirmed.

Further electrification and other investment has been announced as part of the Government’s economic stimulus package.

Asset management

Network Rail has submitted draft asset policies supporting the Initial Industry Plan for CP5 and beyond.  Although these are a step forward from previous policies we are disappointed that none yet includes whole-life cost justification demonstrating that the policies are as efficient as possible.

Network Rail appears to be substantially behind target on three of the six asset management improvement trajectories agreed in January , although it may have closed some of this gap since the independent reporter’s July assessment.  We will look to the company to make up any slippage.

We are pressing the company to improve its maintenance competencies in a number of vital areas, such as condition and fault recording and cause attribution.

We are considering a request to bring CP5 funding forward for Network Rail’s ambitious £300M plans to improve asset information and the supporting IT.

Performance of the infrastructure in the first half year has been encouraging overall, with 6% fewer infrastructure incidents delaying trains when compared with last year.  But delay minutes are higher due to the increase in delay per incident, and the number of temporary speed restrictions has been rising steadily.

Last updated: 7 December 2011

Network Rail monitor and Key statistics

Since Q2 2011-2012 the Network Rail Monitor key statistics have been published on the National Rail Trends Portal.