Rail systems skill shortage triggers CTRL costs hike

摘要

Network rail's decision in 2003 to take maintenance and renewal work back in-house is adding millions to the cost of completing section two of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL). Managing director of CTRL client Union Railways, Alan Dyke, confirmed this week that the resulting shortages of specialist private sector rail skills were contributing to cost increases on system-wide contracts. Scarce resources coupled with recent increases in railway workload in the south east, he said, meant the costs to fit out the new tunnels and complete the railway were higher than expected.