From the Network Rail
press release:
Network Rail announces today its intention to create a new, powerful, devolved business unit dedicated to serve customers and passengers in Wales and the Marches. This move is part of the company^s latest drive to increase its responsiveness at a local level and will create a new Wales route for the very first time in railway history.
Leading the change, Network Rail's chief executive, David Higgins, said: ^Network Rail has saved money and transformed the railway through central control but to make further improvements in Wales we now need to increase responsiveness at a local level by operating with a one-Wales strategy.
"We^re devolving accountability so that we can get closer to our customers and be in a better position to deliver improvements to passengers and freight users, while forging stronger ties with the Welsh Assembly Government to unlock any untapped potential on the railway.
"The Wales route managing director will, in effect, be running their own infrastructure railway business with significant annual turnover and resources. This represents a significant change of emphasis to give our people on the routes the ability and the means to deliver a bigger, better, more affordable railway. However, we^re determined not to undermine the progress that has been made, but to build on the strengths of what we^ve achieved.
"There will continue to be a critical role for a supporting centre that helps make the most of economies of scale. The railway still needs to be planned and operated as a network which operates seamlessly. And we must maintain the company^s focus on efficient and effective management of long-life railway assets.^
The new Wales business unit will oversee the management and operation of the railway in south Wales, mid Wales, north Wales and the Marches from a regional headquarter in Cardiff. Historically, the railway in Wales was built and operated by separate companies including the Great Western Railway and the London, Midland and Scottish company.
Notes to Editors:
- A route is a geographical operational area or region. At the moment the country is split into nine of these regions with a route director managing the day to day operation of the railway on their patch. Wales currently falls within the Western route and London and North Western route
- These changes will devolve more power, responsibility and accountability onto the new business units which include transferring responsibility from the centre to the new role of route managing director, including:
* safety
* all customer service matters
* asset management outputs and spend
* operations
* planning and delivering maintenance
* delivery of some renewals and enhancements
- The devolved businesses will be empowered to innovate within a framework which maintains the company^s focus on making the most of network benefits, minimising whole-life costs, and providing a seamless service for all customers and rail users
- Scotland and Wessex* routes will be the first to make the change, devolving power from the centre to the routes. This change will start in April. As the changes prove successful in delivering a better service to customers and passengers, the other routes will follow as soon as possible
- The new Wales route will also include some stations and infrastructure in England
