The Project Delivery Relay Race

The direct relationships will allow for development opportunities for SMEs resulting in improved longer term market conditions and a coherent approach and process across Capital Delivery, and supplier management and development will be constant across all parts of Capital Delivery.

Capital Delivery System

The Capital Delivery System (CDS) covers everyone in the capital delivery process who can influence capital investment outcomes. To get the very best outcomes requires everyone to be effective, aligned, and working together effectively.

This is analogous to a relay race, with the winning team being the one where each individual runner’s performance is effective, as is the quality of the handover from one runner to another. If one runner underperforms or the handover is ineffective, then the team’s overall performance suffers. Another metaphor is a cog system, which describes the same spirit in so far as everyone being effective, aligned and working together, whilst additionally recognising that projects are complex with various parts (cogs) all needing to work at the same time.

CDS will promote consistency, economies of scale, and greater agility of resource deployment. It will address overlaps with the supply chain and Network Rail, which is often wasteful and degrades ownership of issues, learning and improvement. The new approach will remove duplication to deliver projects more efficiently. Enhancing staff capability, and rationalising and improving the assurance framework will also be targeted to support driving greater efficiency.

Very large bespoke projects

There are many difficult and challenging projects ahead in the region and they include some very large bespoke projects:

» Birmingham New Street resignalling was finally completed over Christmas after 17 years and many stages, due to the fact that the West Midlands area is so large and complicated. Crewe is another huge signalling area and renewing Crewe and Birmingham at the same time has not been possible due to the huge resource, cost, and access required. With Birmingham now complete the focus is now on Crewe.

» Crewe’s last major resignalling took place in 1985 with the creation of the Crewe Signalling Control Centre (SCC). While this was an extensive resignalling it did not include the freight Independent Lines, nor Crewe’s other fringes and only covered the station area and junctions. Basford Hall on the approach to Crewe from the south dates from 1897, and other signal boxes from 1901 and the signalling last renewed in 1936, with some modernisation with electrification in the 1960s and various life extension works. The connection with HS2 is another requirement which all adds to the complication of the project ahead.

» Other major projects in the pipeline are the West Coast Main Line North (WCML North) upgrade and the line between Bolton and Wigan electrified. This will see almost 13 single track miles of new electrification and lengthen the platforms between Lostock and Wigan. The project will provide 427 new overhead line equipment stanchions, and modifications to 17 bridges and two-level crossings. Platforms will also be extended at Hindley, Westhoughton and

Ince stations to cater for six-carriage trains in the future. Eoin and his team are committed to identifying the most efficient way of delivering the electrification and learning from the various electrification projects which have taken place over the last few years.

» The Midlands Rail Hub programme aims to improve rail connectivity and boost economic growth across the Midlands and towards the South-West through a series of projects across the region. The programme proposes to increase capacity at Birmingham Moor Street station, which will be adjacent to the new HS2 station at Curzon Street, and to reduce overall congestion on key rail corridors radiating from Central Birmingham. A new line is planned to connect the Camp Hill line to the Chiltern main line which will allow more trains to use Birmingham Moor Street station. The project is subject to ongoing work to maximise value for money and affordability.

It is clear that Eoin is committed to working with colleagues and partners across the system, both internally and externally to find new ways of working in line with the company’s approach to project delivery, focusing on the right solutions at the right cost, delivering faster and more efficiently, and providing value for money for taxpayers. The system engineering approach, with the one team cooperation, collaborative behaviours and commercial focus will encourage more effective contracting and use of appropriate internal resources. It will also help to improve how Network Rail develops designs, and plans projects in the region to deliver better outcomes for both passengers, freight, and funders.

Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group

Operating throughout the project lifecycle, we deliver solutions including track renewals and maintenance, overhead line, tunnel refurbishment, gauge enhancement, and specialist on-track plant in-line excavation and material handling systems.

We are Europe’s leading slab track design and build specialist and our solutions are complemented by a wealth of experience from our global business.

Innovation is at the heart of our business and our focus is on customer-oriented and tailor-made solutions working collaboratively with our clients and suppliers.