Holden report recommendations
1. NR should review its delay attribution policies (including those related to smallminutes and the attribution of unexplained delay), and the resources it makes available to effectively attribute delays. The aim should be for all delays and incidents to be investigated and explained.
2. DfT should reconsider re-baselining the franchise performance regime to allow some relief from the deterioration seen between bid submission and franchise start date.
3. DfT should consider how it could instigate steps to create a better alignment of performance incentives between SWR and NR for Control Period 6.
4. SWR and NR should review the operation of the existing alliancing arrangements with a view to either reinforcing them or easing them as best suits both parties.
5. SWR and NR should work together to overhaul and dramatically improve performance management planning, reporting, analysis and forecasting.
6. SWR and NR should overhaul the current ineffective performance management meeting structure.
7. SWR and NR should review their combined capability and capacity for performance analysis and management, and further strengthen it if appropriate.
8. NR should review its visualisation practice as applied within Wessex Route to focus on critical aspects of delivery and to use time more effectively.
9. NR Route Managing Director and SWR Managing Director should overtly support a relaunch of the SWR performance management system, led by the new performance and planning director.
10. SWR should review the provision and location of CCTV monitors on station platforms to assist guards with dispatching trains.
11. SWR should consider standardising the riding position of guards for each length of train formation at stations between Raynes Park/Barnes and Waterloo.
12. SWR should seek to achieve the maximum extent of Driver Controlled Operation possible on its routes.
13. NR should consider the provision of closing up signals on both the Up and Down Main Slow line platforms at Wimbledon, Earlsfield, Clapham Junction and Vauxhall.
14. SWR should consider amending the professional driving policy such that drivers understand the need to draw up appropriately when approaching key signals in the throat outside Waterloo station when they are displaying red aspects.
15. NR should carry out a feasibility study into increasing the permanent speed restriction on the Main Suburban lines into and out of the station, and into and out of Platforms 20-24, from 15mph to 20mph.
16. NR should seek derogation or other technical solution to resolve the sub-standard overlap problems affecting routeing into and out of Platforms 20-24.
17. SWR and NR should carry out a joint operability review ahead of Class 701 operation, to identify any infrastructure changes that would be beneficial to performance before their introduction. This would also assist with improving the operability of the existing ten-car railway.
18. NR should include the movement of the crossover at Kingston, to permit extension of its bay platform to ten cars, in the core scope of the Feltham Area Resignalling project, making a longer-term significant operability improvement.
19. NR should consider motorising and remotely controlling the ground frame-controlled trailing crossover between Raynes Park and Motspur Park, and creating a signalled route to turnback from the Up Branch platform at Raynes Park.
20. SWR to consider reinstating the shunter capability at Staines sidings on both day shifts, and some stock should be planned to be berthed there between the peaks to leave some siding space free in Clapham Yard for use in perturbation.
21. NR should set itself a challenging target to remove all the existing long-standing ESRs and unplanned TSRs, and create much tighter ‘remediate and remove’ targets for all those which are imposed when required.
22. Network Rail should consider developing a package of infrastructure enhancement schemes designed primarily to improve the core resilience of the existing timetable structure.
23. SWR and NR should fully review the White Pages and Disruption Contingency Plans to reflect current operational circumstances.
24. SWR and NR should develop a package of measures for the control and resourcing organisation which will include, but is not limited to:
■ The creation of service management pods at the ROC (mainline services) and Waterloo (main suburban and Windsor line services) containing train service management, train crew and rolling stock resource management, customer service control and information capability.
■ The movement of the resource management team for the ‘Outer’ area from Southampton to Basingstoke ROC.
■ Implementation of a senior on-shift SWR manager within the ROC to effectively represent SWR’s interests in decision-making.
■ Improved training and competence assessment for SWR controllers.
■ Review the arrangement of desks within the ROC to maximise the opportunity for “controllers ear” to work effectively.
■ Introducing improved decision support tools as set out in its committed obligation.
■ Alignment of the revised control structure with any proposed changes to driver depots to better align resources and resource control.
25. NR should seek to provide sufficient incremental financial resource for maintenance and renewals during CP6 to at least arrest the decline in asset age profiles.
26. NR, SWR and DfT should co-operate so as to produce longer no-trains periods (five nights per week) in the suburban area, to facilitate much improved infrastructure maintenance access.
27. NR should expedite implementation of phase two of the safer isolations programme in the suburban area, and introduce cyclical maintenance practices to optimise the efficiency of access and work activities.
28. SWR should undertake a systematic route and branch review of route and traction variation with the aim of reducing the complexity that arises from the principle of ‘Variation with Diagram’, and move towards adopting ‘Variation by Roster’. This should be undertaken with due regard to the plans developed to create new driver depots as part of the Franchise Delivery Plan.