The story of Control Period 4 is one of sustained investment in renewing and improving Britain’s railway. Network Rail is investing in Britain’s railway to reduce delays and to run more and longer trains. This investment will increase the capacity of the railway to support the drive to accommodate the growth in passenger numbers.
Network Rail is also investing to shorten journey times, improve Britain’s stations and make the railway even more reliable. Significant milestones in the past year
include the completion of the Airdrie to Bathgate railway in Scotland and the opening of a new station at Newport, Wales, in time for the Ryder Cup.
In a departure from previous years, David Higgins has made the online Annual Report his primary focus and this year his review takes the form of a video interview, transcribed for the printed version.
What has not changed is Network Rail’s relentless focus on efficiency, brought into sharper focus by the Government’s review, chaired by Sir Roy McNulty, of the cost and efficiency of Britain’s railway. A key element in reducing costs is Network Rail’s recent drive to devolve accountability and decision-making, putting them closer to the customer.
Innovation, investment and a focus on improving efficiency are ongoing themes of Control Period 4 and this Annual Report.