CP5 ENHANCEMENTS PROGRAMME IN RUINS

摘要

Even before the review by newly appointed Network Rail Chairman Sir Peter Hendy was announced, it had become crystal clear that Network Rail's enhancement programme for Control Period 5, which only began on 1 April last year, is undeliverable.That applies equally to resources, funding and implementation timescales. Sir Peter is going to have to swing the axe while minimising political collateral damage. You can see why. The next election will be in May 2020. New timetables for Thameslink and the Great Western Route Modernisation are due to be introduced in December 2018; Crossrail follows a year later. This was recognised in the list of criteria against which the largest enhancements schemes are being assessed. Not far down the list, after safety, deliverability, benefits and new trains involved, was the chill 'reputation of Government: Note this section in Sir Peter's terms of reference. 'Work is prioritised taking particular account of interfaces with other infrastructure programmes and the need to deliver the required passenger and freight benefits, franchise or rolling stock commitments! But' the cost for delivery within 2014-19 does not exceed the original funding assumptions for enhancements!