Looking after the Infrastructure
No one can run a high-performance railway if the building blocks themselves – the rails, the signalling and the points are not up to scratch. 
When we took over running the railway, we were faced with a backlog of track replacement that needed addressing.
Last year we upgraded approximately 700 miles of rail, 500 miles of sleepers, 500 miles of ballast, 600 switches and crossings.Our Track Record
We have made big improvements since we began running Britain’s railway in October 2002
Over the last three years we have beaten our principal safety targets, reducing delays by 28% since 2002/03. We have also cut costs significantly. We have done it by taking maintenance in-house, rolling integrated control centres out across the network, continuing our massive programme of rebuilding the railway and working more closely with train and freight operators.
Investing for the future
When Network Rail was created, the railway was in great need of investment. After three years, Network Rail is delivering the best train punctuality for six years. There is still a long way to go but we are determined that the railway will become the outstanding example of how a national asset should be maintained and developed, and - most importantly - deliver an outstanding service to those who use it.
More passengers and more freight
Last year, UK railways carried over a billion passenger journeys, the largest number since 1959.
2002/03 | 2003/04 | 2004/05 | 2005/06 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franchised passenger train miles (millions) | 261.9 | 267.5 | 266.5 | 272.9 |
| Gross tonne miles of freight (millions) | 27,179 | 27,236 | 28,369 | 30,547 |