• Guide to the Investment Process

    The number of stages in the investment process will depend upon the type of project, the level of Network Rail’s involvement and the promoter of the scheme.

  • Network Rail will commit to delivering your project rapidly and efficiently and will work with you, once an approach is made about a project, to determine the appropriate scope and contractual framework for the life cycle of that project.

    A close working relationship

    The development and implementation of enhancement projects are negotiated via Principal Agreements between customers and Network Rail. We will provide a Commercial Scheme Sponsor from within the appropriate Route Enhancement Manager’s team in Operations & Customer Services. The sponsor will meet you or the scheme’s promoter to understand the objectives and funding model for the scheme. If further development of the scheme can be justified, the sponsor will negotiate with you on the basis of established policy using template agreements. The work will be estimated, costed and implemented by our Infrastructure Investment team, with contractual advice provided by our Enhancement Contracts team.

    Stages in the investment process:

    Stage 1: Investment project idea, initiation and prioritisation
    Stage 2: Initial project feasibility and development process
    Stage 3: Project development
    Stage 4: Implementation

    Preparation saves time

    Ideally, you will fully prepare the following information prior to making initial contact with a proposed enhancement scheme:

    • Objective, scope and specification of the enhancement
    • Funding for the project and project risks
    • Procurement methodology (e.g. Network Rail undertaking development and implementation works or performing asset protection activities)
    • Likely interface with the railway
    • Other stakeholder involvement