Britain relies on rail. It drives and enables economic growth, is the most environmentally sustainable form of mass transport for people and goods, and is a key link between communities the length and breadth of the country.
In March 2009, we made commitments over the five years to 2014 to get more trains on the network and more of those trains on time, and to make the railway even safer. We committed to delivering a £24 billion programme of investment in the network, and to reducing the cost of the railway by over a fifth. Over the last two years we have made solid progress towards meeting those significant challenges, and we remain entirely committed to meeting the targets we have been set.
The progress that has been made will provide the foundations for change that will help deliver better services at lower cost, based on far more effective partnerships with train operators, devolved decision making and far greater transparency of costs. It will mean people and organisations across the industry working together and sharing the benefits of success. We embark on this reform programme with a rapidly evolving company and governance. We have a new Board, new CEO and a fresh determination to confront our legacy issues and tackle the challenges of the future. 2011 will be a crucial year for Network Rail and the future of the railways in the UK.
This update also provides further details of the industry’s planning for the next control period and beyond in advance of the Initial Industry Plan in September. The clear challenge is for the industry to improve value for money and to provide stronger leadership in helping to inform government decisions about what government wants from the railway.
CP4 Delivery Plan update 2011
Control Period 4 Delivery Plan update 2011
Please also see our full
Control Period 4 Delivery Plan 2009
, and the
Control Period 4 Delivery Plan update 2010
.