Scotland performs better on renewals

Renewals delivery has improved in Scotland, according to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

However, £32 million of capital spend (10%) has been deferred to future years, including work not due to be completed yet. Network Rail’s work in all major areas is ahead of plan for the period, but the cost of the renewals work being delivered was slightly more than budgeted at 13% (4% of budget).

For plain line and switches and crossings, Scotland outperformed other routes, exceeding targets by 13% and 10% respectively. ORR warned that there is evidence of pressure on the maintenance function to manage track geometry safely, particularly in the Far North.