Involving the whole project life cycle, in a complex and demanding operational environment. In addition, a new delivery model was developed for the three packages of work: rail corridor works led by Network Rail, stations and highways led by Northumberland County Council and introduction of the new passenger service led by Northern Rail. The one-team approach dovetails into the Williams Review which will require the different parts of the railway to work much more closely together. In an article last year in New Civil Engineer, Mike Wright (Network Rails Capital Investment Programme Director) describes the aim of PACE to keep the rigour of Grip but not control projects so excessively that we are adding extra time and cost to the delivery.. Excellent written and oral communication skills. PACE is a new approach that will make it easier for Network Rail to integrate and respond to operational challenges. Well send you a link to a feedback form. 29 0 obj 9 0 obj Assurance developing a more integrated approach. The full, robust engineering design is produced along with the detailed costings and time estimates that go with the project delivery. There is a lot more to the change than a new name and Network Rail programme director (capital investment) Mike Wright believes the impact will be seen in less than 12 months. endobj For more information on how Raildiary cantransform your project delivery, book a product demo with our team here. The benefits of PACE are said to include: A simpler project management structure, which can be followed by all departments working on projects at any one time; Improved delegation of authority up the chain of command; A greater focus on risk management across all levels of the organisation; More effective use of key performance indicators (KPIs); A more coherent approach to procurement and contracting processes across different disciplines (including civil engineering works). The aim of Pace is to keep the rigour of Grip but not control projects so excessively that we are adding extra time and cost to the delivery.. Critics of the Grip process have described it as inflexible and glacially slow and has been blamed as one of the key hold ups in rail schemes such as those that form part of MetroWest in the Bristol region. At RSP we support the introduction of PACE. Timescales were reduced by using Network Rails permitted development rights to start work in the summer and, working with the DfT, bringing forward the Transport and Works Act to allow station work to begin sooner. This could be due to the train completing its journey and beginning a new journey or due to the train needing to turn around during its journey to access the necessary route. GRIP focuses on projects which enhance or renew the national rail network as opposed to those involved with routine maintenance of the railway and was developed in order to minimise and mitigate the risks associated with delivering such projects . Hence, despite many successful recent projects, the legacy of others so high-profile and over-budget has been deeply harmful to the industry, creating doubt about its ability to deliver projects, whilst GWEP caused the Westminster government to lose faith in electrification. When this standard is implemented, it is permissible for all projects that have formally completed GRIP Stage 3 (Option Selection) to continue to comply with the issue of any relevant Network Rail . 10 May, 2021 Grip 3. endobj /Outlines 971 0 R 200TH EDITION Rail Engineer January / February 2023 200 Issues & 2,900 articles later, Are passengers getting a good ride? /Parent 2 0 R This very much reflects the greater focus on local knowledge that Pace is expected to deliver. This library also benefits from the centres work with the supply chain to assess best practice in methodologies and technologies. Award-winning coverage of transport infrastructure and politics alongside stories about the history of the Capital's transport networks. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk. Timetabling developing a meaningful plan linked to the investment lifecycle and joint funding decisions. A non-departmental public body, wholly funded by the Secretary of State for Transport and sponsored by the Department for Transport, that owns, operates and develops Britains railway infrastructure. Network Rail is more relaxed over what people choose to call it. endobj <> Our expertise extends to depots, operations, maintenance analytics and asset management across all aspects of rail, including transport, technical and sustainability assessments and systems infrastructure. Rail lineside civils works including UTX/URX design & lineside structures. Despite the funding deficit . 16 0 obj We have cultivated a whole generation of people who apply it mechanically. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Under Grip, Wright or one of his colleagues had to undertake a risk management review of every one of 3,000 to 5,000 proposed projects. GRIP (Governance for Railway Investment Projects) had been used as a framework for managing projects since 2000. HS2 Phase 2a will extend the high-speed rail line north from the West Midlands at Birmingham to Crewe, helping towns and cities across North West England, North Wales and Scotland benefit from it sooner. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. By the end of stage 4 of the eight distinct stages, a design outline for the recommended option from stage 3 is complete. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Stuart emphasised that the centre is there to support and work with the regions. 5 0 obj It will empower all of us in rail to be revolutionary in our thinking to challenge how we do things and ask, how could we do this better? With this statement, Network Rails CEO, Andrew Haines, set the scene at a recent online Project SPEED conference. He was assured that if he felt a panel was not adding any value, he should feel empowered to challenge its necessity. Built with love in Manchester , New Civil Engineer 'Interview | Mike Wright of Network Rail on setting a new tone for project delivery'. The changes to the law proposed by a hybrid bill would affect the general public but would also have a significant impact for specific individuals or groups. The fact is that from Monday, the track operator moves from being nominally in the private sector to a public sector organisation . <> The area has 1,700 trains a day and is one of the worst bottlenecks on the UK rail network. The number of trains that can travel through a corridor during a period of time. Learn how your comment data is processed. Project SPEED (Swift, Pragmatic and Efficient Enhancement Delivery) is a joint initiative between the Department for Transport and Network Rail. Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. In an article last year in New Civil Engineer, Mike Wright (Network Rails Capital Investment Programme Director) describes the aim of PACE to keep the rigour of Grip but not control projects so excessively that we are adding extra time and cost to the delivery.. Getting different parts of the railway to work much more closely together will also be an essential aspect of the Williams Review, bringing significant changes to the industrys structure. SPEED is all about the mindset shift needed in the industry to radically transform our cost base and programmes for infrastructure, and embracing the PACE frameworks is one of the ways in which this can be enabled. Gate reviews were held to consider relevant documentation to confirm completion of the required activities. This policy comprises a number of individual projects with varying stages of delivery maturity. A light rail service (tram) that operates on both tram lines and conventional rail lines. You can read more about our role in supplying the rail industry on our supply page. 10 0 obj & Laying RIAs Parliamentary reception strikes a positive note, Newcastle exhibition marks bicentenary of Robert Stephensons company. 25 0 obj A slower train being run on a route with a high line speed may occupy several train paths as it travels along the line. Local stakeholders have been invited to propose RYR projects. The first looked at a number of live projects and gave them a very real challenge to go away and look at cost plans, schedules and the plan of work to identify opportunities to do things better, faster, cheaper and safer; as well as identify our internal processes, regulatory framework or legislation that act as blockers to those things. At Gatwick Airport, the station improvement project had been delayed by two months due to the Covid lockdown. Success will deliver an industry that trusts knowledge and expertise, does not follow rules at the expense of common sense or better outcomes and is filled with people proud and excited to work in rail. This needs a quantum change in the way projects are delivered if the industry is to win back the trust of decision makers. The process of switching the power source for trains from diesel to electric. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. endobj ProjectSPEED(Swift, Pragmatic and Efficient Enhancement Delivery) is a joint initiative between the Department for Transport and Network Rail. The changes are designed to create a simpler and more consistent approach to project management, which is needed given the current demands on the railway, according to Chris Rowley, Network Rail's director of NR2N (Network Rail 2nd Generation). David was appointed Editor of Rail Engineer in January 2017 and, since 2010, has written many articles for the magazine on a wide variety of topics including events in Scotland, rail innovation and Russian Railways. endobj A cross-government programme of work led by HM Treasury, looking across the whole project lifecycle with the aim to deliver major infrastructure projects better, greener, faster. In this Integrated Rail Plan, Manchester Piccadilly station would operate as a turnback station. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 19 0 obj The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Until now, Network Rail's "enhancement" budget for the five year period from 2019-24 had been set at 10.4bn. According to Wright, Grip was much more than a project lifecycle and there are hundreds of other processes, policies and governance controls across Network Rail that were affected by the Grip process. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This approach involves early engagement with all concerned, particularly suppliers. He retired from Network Rail in 2009 after a 37-year railway career. Andrew acknowledged that this is not always a fair picture but that there are too many examples we can all think of which have defined us in the eyes of those we serve and those who fund us. The Great Western Electrification Programme (GWEP) was 2 billion overspent; a decade before that, the final 12 billion cost at todays prices of the West Coast Main Line upgrade in 2006 compares unfavourably with its original 1.4 billion estimate from 1994. <> However, he cautioned that the industry must not be complacent about investment funding. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Your email address will not be published. 20 0 obj The latest minutes from Network Rails board meeting show that the project acceleration in a controlled environment (Pace) was expected to start being rolled out last month. It involved eight 'stages' from feasibility through to operational handback. GRIP is used to describe how Network Rail manages project delivery of projects within the national rail network. The cost savings were achieved by identifying efficiencies and ensuring that the project only included requirements to introduce the passenger service. 22 0 obj They were split across three formal project management phases. As such, it fits absolutely into the plan for devolution. According to Wright, Grip was much more than a project lifecycle and there are hundreds of other processes, policies and governance controls across Network Rail that were affected by the Grip process. Description used where a station consists of multiple layers of tracks the low-level line runs below the high-level line. Part of the PACE ethos is empowering and delegating authority to those best placed for decision making within the project team. This can be measured in trains per hour, or by seats. A spur from the Western Leg of HS2 connecting to the West Coast Main Line south of Wigan, enabling HS2 services to Scotland (Glasgow and Edinburgh) to avoid congested sections of the West Coast Main Line between Crewe and Wigan. To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. Detailed oriented self starter and finisher. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. We now need to work with our industry partners to drive the required changes to ensure we work as one team to deliver value for money outcomes for our customers and benefits for our passengers. He felt that, whilst Network Rails organisational changes provided the right structure, Project SPEED will give us the right mindset. Furthermore, its linear process was too inflexible. /StructTreeRoot 44 0 R To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. endobj What is the SPEED approach? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Prior to that, his roles in the privatised railway included various quality, safety and environmental management posts. Every day we empower our people to always be safe, care about the railways, its users and each other and put teamwork at the heart of all we do. <> Innovation showcase | Arcadis asset management model aims to save Network Rail time and money, Innovation Showcase | How Bentley Systems design tools are aiding delivery of Jakarta to Bandung high speed railway, Creating homeowner value for sustainable drainage systems, Recruitment Showcase | Stantec launches largest ever recruitment drive, Network Rails failure to tackle rusty line led to track damage, Future of Rail | Abandoned rail links can boost transport connectivity, Network Rail to change electrification delivery on Midland Main Line to make cost savings, Hinkley Point Cs first nuclear reactor arrives on site, Work begins on 65M upgrade of A12 in Essex, Movers and shakers: Biggest construction and engineering appointments in February 2023, Civil engineering is changing for the better, Interview | Transpennine Route Upgrade boss Neil Holm on progress and future challenges, Future of Rail | Digital tools aid upcoming blockade on the West Coast Main Line, Funding for footbridge connecting Northern Ireland and the Republic will expire before construction starts, Motts: Decarbonising transport is everyones responsibility, Women civil engineers sought in bid for gender balance in adjudication, Coastal Engineer/Coastal Project Engineer, Copyright 1972-2023 EMAP Publishing Limited. facebook; twitter; linkedin; pinterest; US Stock Cross Bar Roof Rail Rack fit for Jaguar E-pace 2018-2020 Luggage. As described later, this required the development of a new project management process, PACE (Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment), addressing ten key themes and the provision of a Rail Investment Centre of Excellence to provide support and share lessons learnt. About Network Rail We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. Another example is the planning of blockades which must have as much work as possible thrown into them and so might delay some schemes. The standards to which infrastructure is built. Where our earlier organisational change has given us the right structure, SPEED will give us the right mindset, and tools, to put passengers first and drive value. Grip is being retired during this year with each of the five Network Rail regions given the power to make decisions about how and when projects migrate to Pace. SPEED is forging a path ahead for the industry to adapt and meet these challenges head on. 26 0 obj The new framework will be "a lot more flexible" than GRIP and will allow for more effective use of resources across projects. The timing and specification, funding and any risks, procurement methodology, clashes with existing railway operations/projects and route strategies and other stakeholder involvement are assessed to establish the scope of investment and identify any constraints. Experience of working in the UK rail industry - knowledge of Network Rail GRIP / PACE process / standards and approval processes. It represents the local transport and local highways authorities of the West and East Midlands. He also reiterated that anyone with ideas to improve project delivery should contact [emailprotected], SPECIALIST AREAS It will also encourage greater collaboration between teams working on different projects by allowing them to share lessons learned from previous work in order to improve delivery. Project SPEED therefore potentially offers GTR significant benefits as the companys Infrastructure Director, Keith Jipps, explained. 6 0 obj It consists of 5 stages, including project initiation, development and project selection, project design, project delivery and project close. 9th September 2014 Benefits Management, Network Rail 2 3. Interoperability and Standards developing a different approach to interoperability and encouraging challenges to standards. Minister of State for Transport, Chris Heaton-Harris, emphasised the Prime Ministers view that the UK government expected rail will play a vital part in boosting Britains Covid recovery. In addition, the new PACE process will give individual projects a better trade-off between time, cost and scope of work. The requirements for this review are determined by the required Level of Control (LoC) which is determined from a risk-based assessment that takes account of issues such as project novelty, technology and design complexity, and operational impact. Reference class forecasting is a method for predicting future outcomes based on the outcomes for a group of similar past projects, for example hypothetically using HS1 and HS2 as benchmarks for the final cost of Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Integrated Rail Plan. It was concluded that there had to be a move from a rules-based model to one based on principles. The West Coast Main Line (WCML) is one of the UKs core rail lines, running between London and Glasgow via Crewe and Lancaster, with branches to Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool. Finally, he noted that there are occasions when a slower and more coordinated approach is appropriate, especially when there is a risk to the timetable. It will help the railway better cope with disruptions and ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget. endobj This is common in city centres, several of the busiest through stations on Europes high-speed networks operate with high-speed trains reversing in their platforms during their journeys. Visit our, Network Rail acts on Project Speed principles with new project delivery framework, Balfour to build River Trent pedestrian bridge as costs rise, Former East West Rail boss joins National Highways, Council in talks over future of Newcastle station project after contractor collapse, Greek train crash: Failure of signalling systems highlights railway safety issues, Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering, On demand webinar: SuDS and the Code of Adoption Sewerage, On demand webinar: What the next 10 years holds for the built environment, On demand webinar: machine control and automation, Building Momentum: SUDs are ready to enter the mainstream. Experience of working in the UK rail industry with good working knowledge of Network Rail GRIP / PACE process / standards and approval processes. Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines has previously said that if it is used properly, Grip works. You have entered an incorrect email address! Network Rail capital delivery director Stuart Calvert is undertaking an analysis of potential efficiencies that could be delivered by Project Speed and Pace, which is expected to be presented at a future board meeting. endobj The time it takes for a train service to depart from a station to a destination station. Instead, it must grasp the opportunity SPEED presents to do things differently. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. >> A parkway railway station is a railway station that primarily serves a park and ride interchange rather than a town or city centre. 23 0 obj 17 0 obj All speakers stressed the need for a truly collaborative one-team culture in which project teams are empowered to challenge accepted ways of doing things. So what is PACE, and how does it differ from its predecessor? endobj He advised that the review challenged both the scope and original nine-year timescale of the project by considering radical blockade strategies. An independent, not-for-profit company that provides analysis and commentary on the UKs high-speed rail network. Under Pace, we say this is what A looks like and this is what B looks like when it is well done but how you get there is down to you. He felt that, in many cases, train operators were best placed to deliver them in an agile manner. It is a more flexible control framework compared to GRIP and allows sponsors and project management to tailor controls to better meet the requirements of their project. Working with DfT, Network Rail identified six infrastructure projects of differing scale and stages of development, and asked them to consider past and current constraints, and what was needed to unblock them. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies. /Resources 1021 0 R Value for Money is one of the key considerations of any decision involving the use of public funds as referenced in The Green Book guidance issued by HM Treasury on how to appraise policies, programmes and projects across government. This created unnecessary bureaucracy and distraction. The DfT 's new unit brings together transport experts, ministers, businesses, local government and other specialists to inspire fresh ideas, getting to grips with opportunities to improve. D; Not e Grip 3. <> As part of this, challenge workshops were held to consider the scope of level crossings and track. There can be no place, I believe, for deniers who are unable to acknowledge that the industrys reputation, built over many years, was of rising costs, deadlines inevitably moving to the right and estimates wrong by orders of magnitude.. 18 0 obj He was encouraged by the recent response to the standards challenge process which, after a slow start, was now offering savings of tens of million pounds. This provides increased focus on client/funder requirements by getting the right balance of time, cost and scope of work. At the end of April a whole host of new documents that also reflect the shift from Grip to Pace will be published. endobj Wright describes Project Speed as a broad piece of work and the move to Pace came out of it with the aim of unpicking some of the issues around governance and Grip. /Parent 2 0 R The 2017 plans consisted of a new high-speed line connecting Phase One (London to the West Midlands) to Leeds, serving an interchange at Toton (in the East Midlands) and with connections to Sheffield and the East Coast Main Line, to access destinations including York and Newcastle. It is costing money and time.. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Trains that handle goods instead of passengers. Real time data is key to supporting this decision making Raildiary a potential best practice tool to help realise the benefits of Project SPEED and PACE. It was set up to significantly reduce the time and costs of delivering rail infrastructure projects. . News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. Midlands Rail Hub (MRH) is a core component of the flagship Midlands Engine Rail programme. /Resources 917 0 R /ProcSet [/PDF /Text /ImageB /ImageC /ImageI] Taking advantage of current reduced traffic levels to deliver the recent Kings Cross blockade nine months earlier than its originally planned December date was a major planning exercise that was only possible with effective collaboration. He advised that if the industry could seize the opportunity to build back better and faster, it would have the fervent support of his government. It's been claimed that PACE will have an even greater impact than GRIP in delivering efficiency gains. Halving the time and slashing the cost of project delivery are the two core principles of Network Rails application of Project Speed and is the driving force behind the move to a new project delivery framework.
March 11, 2023