Carne: four key questions answered

Network Rail Chief Executive Mark Carne says there are four key questions regarding Digital Railway.

“We have looked at all the obstacles,” he said. “Is the technology ready? Can we afford it? Do we have the capability? Can we confidently deliver?”

He confirmed that the technology was ready. “Six weeks ago, we used ETCS [European Train Control System] on Thameslink. This is a game-changer for Digital Railway.”

On affordability, he said: “Let’s recognise there’s no ‘do nothing’ option.” He said that over the next 15 years it will cost £20 billion to replace life-expired signalling: “Shall we spend that with the same limitations, or shall we invest in transformation of the network?”

Carne said costs would be saved by implementing Digital Railway rather than conventional renewals, and that the newer systems cost 30% less than existing ones, based on suppliers in Europe.

On capability, Carne said the railway should be under no illusion that all roles will change. “TOCs need to upskill thousands of drivers, and recruit more to cope with the extra capacity,” he said.

Finally, on delivery, he said: “We looked at the signalling renewals. The next three Control Periods represent three different phases. CP6 will focus on line-of-route, with funding for the East Coast Main Line. Trans-Pennine will be the first inter-city route.

“The big renewal for Crewe will be ETCS-ready. The big renewal for Feltham will be ETCS-ready. Other routes will get Train Management Systems.”

Carne said CP7 will focus on the regional development of ETCS, and that Waterloo will have 40 miles of ETCS in ten years’ time, enabling a Metro service into the UK’s busiest station. CP8 will then “link routes and roll out the national plan”.