NR sets in motion Phase 3 of Putting Passengers First

Network Rail’s Putting Passengers First programme entered its third phase on June 22, meaning that regions and routes are now fully accountable for capital delivery in their areas and preparing for locally led changes to deliver their target operating models.

All existing accountabilities and posts from the Infrastructure Projects division have transferred to regions and functions, with a Capital Delivery Centre of Excellence established within the Chief Financial Officer Directorate.

A new Technical Authority has had all accountabilities and posts moved from the Safety, Technical and Engineering function, while Network Services and Route Services are being strengthened.

The Technical Authority will manage the National Control Framework, variation and approvals, competence frameworks and acceptance, technical and safety review panels. It will also represent NR externally, providing specialist expertise, technical leadership and strategies, and corporate technical expertise at inquiries.

Network Services will deliver more national technical and operations programmes, while Route Services has received the remaining capabilities to transition to its target operating model.

NR says that organisational changes alone will not achieve its aims, and it is changing both the way it works and how it engages with stakeholders. Its target operating model is expected to be achieved by the end of the year.

The first phase of Putting Passengers First was completed in September 2019, setting up 14 new routes across five regions. Phase 2 followed in November 2019, transferring more teams to the new regions - Network Services, Route Services and the Chief Financial Officer directorate.