17.03.17
Hendy calls on industry to get behind Hansford Review into rail contestability
Sir Peter Hendy, chairman of Network Rail, has launched a consultation for the Hansford Review this week, calling on industry leaders to back the work of the review.
The event, which took place on 15 March, was held at the Institute of Civil Engineering, where Sir Peter gave a keynote speech to over 120 leading figures in the rail industry about the review.
He told attendees: “Network Rail has asked Peter Hansford to help us identify how our industry can create the conditions that encourage third-party investment in the railway and reduce the costs of projects.”
The review, led by University College London professor Peter Hansford, has been commissioned by the Network Rail to look into contestability in the UK rail market and to explore options for third-party investment and infrastructure delivery on the rail network.
Hansford will report back the results of the consultation in spring this year.
The news about the review came after transport secretary Chris Grayling announced that he wanted to give operators responsibility for track maintenance, a task currently lead and controlled by the infrastructure owner.
The project will also be supported by a panel of rail experts and industry leaders, including:
- Alistair Gordon – CEO, Keolis
- Andy Milner – CEO, Amey
- John Smith – managing director, GB Railfreight
- Matthew Symes – partner, Concerto
- Mike Gerrard – independent expert
- Zara Lamont – performance improvement director, Carillion
Prof Hansford thanked Sir Peter for opening the event and “setting the scene for subsequent discussions”.
“My review has excited great interest across the railway industry as well as in construction and finance sectors,” he continued.
“This explains why over 80 organisations were represented at the consultation event and I would like to thank all those who attended for their positive and wide-ranging contributions.”
He added that the review panel, which he chairs, will consider all the points raised at the event so that the Review helps create “an environment that encourages sustainable third-party investment in the national rail network”.
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