Regulator warns Network Rail is failing to check safety of its bridges

Network Rail is failing to check safety of its bridges and putting passengers at risk, regulator warns

  • Regulator chief wrote to Network Rail to urge compliance with inspections
  • Concerns raised over missed use of new technologies as unions warn of risks 

Network Rail[2] has been warned by the industry regulator that it is failing to properly check the safety of some 70,000 monitored pieces of rail infrastructure, putting passengers at potential risk and causing delays to services across the network.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said in a letter[3] addressed to Network Rail's Chief Executive that if it did not complete required inspections on time, it risked faults going undetected which could 'lead to a safety incident' or see speed restrictions put in place to offset the risk, making it 'more difficult' for trains to run on time.

The regulator raised concerns that some regions were not making good use of new technologies - like drones and sonar - to help check for issues along lines which could speed up the time taken for required inspections and reduce the backlogs.

Writing to Network Rail head Andrew Haines, regulator chief John Larkinson warned Network Rail 'does not have robust plans in place across all its regions to achieve a reasonable level of compliance with the new standard and reduce the backlog'.

In Oxfordshire, a sinking bridge connecting Oxford to London Paddington remains shut as engineers look to install a temporary structure to stabilise the Nuneham viaduct, with Network Rail promising to reopen services by 10 June at the earliest.

A sinking bridge in Oxford is to remain shut until June at the earliest as engineers make repairs A sinking bridge in Oxford is to remain shut until June at the earliest as engineers make repairs

A sinking bridge in Oxford is to remain shut until June at the earliest as engineers make repairs 

Engineers were 'working around the clock' to get services operational from Oxford to London Engineers were 'working around the clock' to get services operational from Oxford to London

Engineers were 'working around the clock' to get services operational from Oxford to London

In the letter dated 15 May 2023, Mr Larkinson noted that 'constructive conversations' between the ORR and Network Rail had taken place since raising the concerns.

The letter aimed to summarise the background to these pressing issues.

Mr Larkinson noted that the ORR had begun 'escalating' concerns about non-compliance as far back as 2021 - and the progress had 'not been good enough'.

In some cases, compliance with inspections appeared to have taken steps back.

In order to redress the concerns that Network Rail lacked a proper plan going forward, and that it had failed to make full use of available technology, the groups have agreed to meet at the end of May to review progress before submitting an initial plan for reducing non-compliance at the end of June this year.

This will require Network Rail to detail how it will adopt new technologies and a process for keeping up progress once achieved later down the line.

Network Rail will thereafter be required to keep the ORR informed of its delivery.

Graphs shared of non-compliance across the asset manager's portfolio showed regional variation.

The letter follows a review [4]of Network Rail's contribution to train service performance in January, which noted the percentage of trains arriving on time had already fallen from 73.6% in early 2022-23 to 68.7%.

The percentage of cancelled train services also rose from 3.4% to 3.9% between the start of the last financial year and 7 January 2023. 

It said that while Network Rail - and the industry more broadly - had spotted a good opportunity to learn from high performance during the optimal operating conditions of the pandemic, progress since had started to taper off.

Mr Larkinson cited 'the extensive pressure on timetable planners who have been diverted onto work to accommodate frequent short-notice changes to timetables due to changing demand patterns, engineering work and industrial action' as some of the reasons why.

For over a year, the RMT unions has sought to better members' pay and conditions.

But the greater use of automation and new technologies such as AI to improve Network Rail's servicing has been resisted[5] by RMT.

In January, Mick Lynch, the union's general secretary, said relying on technology like AI would make the railways 'less safe than they are now'.

Industry sources told The Telegraph at the time that drones with laser scanning capability could detect defects in bridges, the railway and tunnels.

The Network Rail logo. Network Rail is the owner and infrastructure manager of most of Britain's railway network The Network Rail logo. Network Rail is the owner and infrastructure manager of most of Britain's railway network

The Network Rail logo. Network Rail is the owner and infrastructure manager of most of Britain's railway network

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch joins members of the RMT trade union on a picket line during strike action outside Paddington Station on May 13, 2023 in London, England RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch joins members of the RMT trade union on a picket line during strike action outside Paddington Station on May 13, 2023 in London, England

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch joins members of the RMT trade union on a picket line during strike action outside Paddington Station on May 13, 2023 in London, England

Proponents of the technology argue the systems would reduce the need for people to walk up and down the tracks for inspections, freeing them up to work elsewhere.

Network Rail has detailed nine [6]ways technology innovation is improving services. 

Modelling allows the body to explore possible options for developments, ultimately saving costs. A new traffic management system is also helping operators manage the timetable and share updates in real time.

Critics worry the adoption of automating technology would make working people redundant, or result in missing possible safety risks along the network.

References

  1. ^ James Reynolds (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  2. ^ Network Rail (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  3. ^ letter (www.orr.gov.uk)
  4. ^ review (www.orr.gov.uk)
  5. ^ has been resisted (www.telegraph.co.uk)
  6. ^ nine (www.networkrail.co.uk)