Railtrack plc

Railtrack publishes first quality indicators
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date 20 December 1996
source Railtrack plc
type Press release

Railtrack's first quality indicators for the network are published today, covering the six months to 30 September 1996. The indicators, which will be published at six monthly intervals, form part of Railtrack's commitment to be accountable to its customers and the wider public for the stewardship of the national rail infrastructure.

The scope of the indicators was agreed with the Rail Regulator following consultation with industry partners. They include measurements in three areas:

the extent and capabilities of the network
the standards to which it is being maintained
the performance delivered by the infrastructure

The publication shows that there has been a small increase in the traffic handling capability of the network and that track quality remains broadly in line with recommended targets. Figures for train delays show an encouraging reduction of around 30% in the number of "minutes delay" attributed to maintenance and renewal causes compared with the corresponding period last year.

Commenting on the figures, John Edmonds, Chief Executive of Railtrack said:
"This is the first time many of these measures have been available. They demonstrate the progress that has been made in the rail industry to date and provide a bench mark for future developments. Although there has been an encouraging improvement in performance in the first half of the year, it would be premature to draw firm conclusions for year on year comparisons until the end of the year when the figures will also reflect weather conditions this winter."

The company has also confirmed the form it intends to adopt for the Network Management Statement which will be published in February 1997. The Statement is an annual planning document which projects the network capacity required over the next ten years and presents Railtrack's plans for meeting it through maintaining, renewing and enhancing the network.

This follows a consultation process to seek the views of train operators, funding bodies, rail users and other interested parties. Their views have been taken into account in settling the form of the Network Management Statement which Railtrack is committed to using as a focus for debate about the future of the railway network and the desires of all rail users for its development.

Railhub Archive ::: 1996-12-20 RTK-001