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Posts Tagged ‘Network Rail’

Network Rail announces major spending plans for 2014-19

January 10th, 2013 by admin
Network Rail (NR) looks poised to spend £37.5 billion from 2014-19, as it projects significant expansion of the country’s railways.
Guardian.co.uk reports that a host of improvements will be carried out around the UK, as the organisation expects 225 million more passenger journeys to be made each year by 2019.
Reflecting on the current state of affairs, chief executive Sir David Higgins said: “One million more trains run every year than ten years ago, more passengers arrive on time than ever before, our safety record is one of the best in Europe and, despite the daily challenges we face, customer satisfaction levels are at record levels.”
NR predicted that, by 2019, 30 per cent more freight will be carried and 335,000 trains will be in service. Also, those in signalling installer jobs may be interested to hear that the company is looking to move towards centralised operation centres, rather than traditional boxes.
The organisation is waiting to have the budget approved by the government, but if it goes through, then local transportation services look set for significant improvements.
For example, portsmouth.co.uk reports that £25 million will be spent on services around Portsmouth, while £30 million has been earmarked for its fellow south coast city, Southampton. In spite of the spending, there are no plans to up the target trains-on-time figure of 92.5 per cent – a level NR is currently failing to meet.

Author: Paul Smithson

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Network Rail (NR) looks poised to spend £37.5 billion from 2014-19, as it projects significant expansion of the country’s railways. (more…)

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The Rail Signalling Market 2012/2013

December 20th, 2012 by Jake Sollis
Well…….its nearly Christmas and 2012 is coming to an end (thankfully not the world!). I think we say it every year but where has it gone?
It has been a busy year at Resourcing Solutions and in particular, the rail signalling market has kept us on our toes – a bit up and down but on our toes none the less.
The 1st half of the year saw some large size mainline projects ramp up and commission at Water Orton and Yeovil and the high profile Victoria Line upgrade was completed. With the focus on creating a hassle free Summer Olympics in London, this impacted negatively on the life of a contractor on the railway! Most major works on the mainline and underground were put to one side meaning a lot of signalling staff sat at home. The London Olympics were a huge success but I was glad to see the back of it and get on and focus on recruiting for up coming work.
The 2nd half of 2012 did indeed prove to be busy with major projects in Harrogate, Stalybridge and Newport taking on a large number of contract signalling staff. With the workload getting bigger and it continuing to grow in 2013 it has highlighted that there will be a short fall in the amount of qualified signalling staff. This is a problem that can’t be sorted quickly but it will be causing our clients a few headaches for time to come.
Since the summer of 2012 we have been compiling resources for Easter 2013 and I have no doubt that as soon as the Christmas decorations are taken down this year we will be adding names to spreadsheets for December 2013.
The main project for us at Easter 2013 will be the signalling works at Reading station. With the project being just around the corner form our Ruscombe HQ we have supplied staff to the project from the beginning. Our client and contractors have kept us up to date with the progress of the signalling aspects but the growth of the station has been visible for everyone to see. It is changing on a daily basis and when completed will be a very impressive new hub! The link to the Network Rail website will show you a little bit more: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/6339.aspx
With the shortfall in mind we are always looking to speak to Signalling Testers and Installers to see if we can place you on your next contract. We are also always looking to keep in contact with signalling designers and project staff including managers and engineers to see if we can help you find your next exciting opportunity.
I will be trying to keep this blog up and keep everyone updated with news on developments in the Resourcing Solutions Signalling team but in the mean time I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very prosperous 2013!
If you like to keep a watching brief on the latest Rail Signalling Opportunities, you can call me to 0118 924 1642 or 07703 910932 or register your details online.
Well…….its nearly Christmas and 2012 is coming to an end (thankfully not the world!). I think we say it every year but where has it gone? (more…)
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Network Rail to create new engineering roles

December 3rd, 2012 by admin

Author: Elizabeth Smythe

Network Rail has announced that approval of plans for a larger depot in Derby would generate around 50 engineering jobs thisisderbyshire.co.uk reports. (more…)

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Network Rail launch “see track, think train” ad campaign

October 9th, 2012 by Simon Haddock

Network Rail has launched a new TV, radio and online advertising campaign as part of its level crossing awareness programme. (more…)

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Are trains set to dominate domestic long distance travel?

April 6th, 2011 by Simon Haddock

Data from the Association of Train Operating Companies suggests that travelling by rail between major UK cities could soon become more popular than flying. (more…)

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Ineffective communications letting down the rail industry

March 1st, 2011 by Barry Potier

Rail travellers often suffer during bad weather and last December’s cold snap was no exception. A study carried out by the Office of Rail Regulation found that both Network Rail and the train operators performed badly over the period.

The problem was made worse by train companies adopting different approaches to passenger information even though they were using the same lines. Operators also failed to coordinate emergency timetables, adding yet more confusion to passengers.

At stations, passengers faced a confusing array of information, from destination boards to tannoy announcements, which left them with no idea when, or even if, trains were running. The report claimed that wildly inaccurate information was being given in some instances because the latest train timetables were not fed into the information system which stations rely on. (more…)

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The British public are letting the train take the strain

February 11th, 2011 by Barry Potier

The British public have resumed their love affair with rail travel if the latest figures from the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) are to be believed.

Last year, passengers made a total of 1.32 billion journeys, covering around 33.5 billion miles, on the National Rail network. That’s an increase in journeys of 6.9% on the year before and 37% on 2000. (more…)

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Skills academy for the Rail Industry announced

December 17th, 2010 by Simon Haddock

On 16th November 2010, The Government has confirmed that funding will be made available towards the establishment of the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering (NSARE). (more…)

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Government gives a welcome boost to the Rail Industry

December 17th, 2010 by Simon Haddock

Resourcing Solutions  would like to thank our guest blogger  Phillippa Eleptico of Carve Consulting http://www.carveconsulting.com.

The railway industry got a welcome boost at the end of last month with the announcement that the government plans to invest £8bn on new carriages, electrification of some lines, and the Thameslink programme. (more…)

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Virgin upset by Network Rail claims of a better service

June 24th, 2009 by Barry Potier

Network Rail is to spend another £50m on the West Coast Main Line, after the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) ordered the company to take action over continuing problems. Virgin Trains complained to the ORR in April, and the result was an order that Network Rail should produce a WCML action plan by mid-June. (more…)

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