19.07.07
Performance and efficiency continue to improve-ORR
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has published its national rail review and Network Rail monitor covering the fourth quarter of 2006-07.
The look back on the last quarter shows an industry in which train operators have built upon improvements in performance, and Network Rail has continued to use its funds more efficiently.
ORR chief executive Bill Emery said: "This quarter saw the tragic derailment at Grayrigg, which resulted in the death of one person. Our investigation into the derailment continues, as do those by British Transport Police and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.
"Aside from that, this quarter has been one in which the railway has generally improved: train performance continues to head in the right direction; and Network Rail is continuing to improve its efficiency. However, there are some worrying signs; performance improvements this year have been as a result of the train operating companies rather than Network Rail, reducing the delays they cause. Also the number of asset failures during the year has increased.
"We also publish our annual report, looking back on our first year as the combined safety and economic regulator for railways in Great Britain. A priority for the merged organisation has been to promote joint working across the industry; and I hope the improvements that are continuing to be made in safety and efficiency on the railways are a reflection of this."
The national rail review Q4 (January to March 2007) 2006-07 says that,
in the four years since it came into existence, Network Rail has made enormous advances in tackling the problems it inherited. It has improved both its performance and the condition of it assets, and is starting to reduce its basic costs against a background of increasing traffic levels. However it is finding it increasingly difficult in some areas to sustain the rate of improvement. Weather related delays more than doubled.
ORR's first railway safety statistical report (for the calendar year 2006) shows that, overall, railway safety continues to improve.
There were no passenger fatalities in 2006 as in 2005; total casualties from all incidents in 2006 were less than in 2005 (down from 5172 to 4379); fatalities at level crossings were down to 10 (from 16 in 2005);
the numbers of high risk SPADs (signals passed at danger) continues to fall (134 compared to 339 in 2002); and a a fall in assaults on railway employees for the fifth year running.
Network Rail monitor for the first quarter of this year shows notable successes for Network Rail in the last year including the lowest number of broken rails for at least 11 years and the lowest number of temporary speed restrictions for at least six years. But there was an overall increase in asset failures, especially those affecting track and power supplies.
NR expenditure was £199m (3.5%) less than budget in the year (April 2006 to March 2007). This was essentially due to lower spending on renewal and enhancement projects through a combination of deferred work and improved efficiency.
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