Network Rail bosses spent millions on flights because its cheaper than train travel April 29, 2015 Planes, trains, or automobiles? You may think you know where Network Rail stands when it comes to choosing the best way to travel, but think again. The company has spent millions of pounds ferrying staff from one end of the country to the other – by plane. The public sector body, which runs the nation's [...]
Network Rail privatisation to be discussed by government officials in order to shake off debt burden March 29, 2015 Government officials could meet this week to discuss the potential privatisation and restructuring of Network Rail. The self-proclaimed “gateway to Britain’s national rail network” added £34bn to the public debt when it was reclassified as a central government body last September. According to a report in The Sunday Times, which cites company insiders, civil [...]
Network Rail issues pre-emptive apology for Easter train travel delays at stations across London and south east March 26, 2015 Network Rail has issued a pre-emptive strike against commuter complaints, apologising in advance for any disruption its ongoing work could have on those travelling during the four-day weekend. The transport group said it had “good contingency plans” in place but acknowledged there would be travel woes for some, urging passengers to check before they start [...]
Row erupts over multi-million-pound bill for Farringdon floods as Network Rail and Thames Water fight over who is to blame January 29, 2015 A row has erupted over who is to blame for the floods that have disrupted train services across London on the Thameslink line for the past six days – and which look likely to last into next week. Yesterday Network Rail issued a statement saying Thames Water faced “a multi-million pound bill” for the [...]
Network Rail chief Mark Carne turns down bonus after “unacceptable” engineering delays caused “misery” for passengers December 30, 2014 Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne has said he will not take his bonus, after the travel chaos that erupted after engineering works overran this Christmas. Carne stood to receive a £34,000 performance-related bonus on top of his £675,000 a year salary. But in light of the huge disruption at King’s Cross and Paddington – [...]
Network Rail’s public image in danger of running off track – Brand Index September 9, 2014 NEWS that Network Rail will be answerable to parliament – having its status changed so that it counts as part of the private sector – has caused a stir among MPs, executives and the public more generally. Is this the first step on the road to re-nationalisation? Is this what the public want? And how [...]
Network Rail’s £53m fine will fund free Wi-Fi on busiest trains July 7, 2014 Network Rail is being forced to hand back £53.1m of its state funding for falling “significantly short” on goals to cut delays on Britain’s railways. The government confirmed yesterday that the fine would be spent on offering free Wi-Fi on the busiest trains. In the five years to March 2014, fewer than nine in 10 [...]
Network Rail fined £53.1m for trains running late July 7, 2014 Network Rail has been handed a record £53.1m fine for missing punctuality targets, the industry regulator reported today. In its assessment of the company that runs Britain's tracks, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) criticised Network Rail for falling "significantly short" of the funded 92 per cent average punctuality targets, achieving just 87 per cent. [...]
Babcock and Carillion win Network Rail work May 12, 2014 NETWORK Rail yesterday announced its preferred bidders for lucrative contracts to run its conventional track renewals and improvement work for the next five years. Babcock International won work over three of the seven geographic lots to deliver plain line tracks for Network Rail. The lots are made up of Western, Wales and Wessex; Scotland and [...]
Network Rail unveils preferred bidders for track renewals May 12, 2014 Network Rail has announced its preferred bidders for conventional track renewals and improvement work for the period 2014-19. Babcock International has won work over three of the seven geographic lots to deliver plain line tracks for Network Rail. The lots are made up of Western, Wales and Wessex; Scotland and LNW South, which are worth [...]