Building Britain's Railway Future: Network Rail's £45.4 Billion CP7 Plan and Its Impact on Hiring

Network Rail has unveiled its ambitious delivery plan for Control Period 7 (CP7), spanning from April 2024 to March 2029. This five-year plan outlines how the organisation will invest £45.4 billion to operate, maintain, and renew Britain's railway infrastructure. The plan aims to create a simpler, better, and greener railway that meets the needs of passengers, freight users, and the wider economy.

Key Objectives and Investments 

The CP7 delivery plan is built around six strategic themes:

1.    Safety: "Everyone home safe, every day"

•    Reduce workforce injuries and train accident risks

•    Invest in new technologies for remote monitoring and safer working practices

•    Improve electrical safety through a £293 million investment programme

2.    Train Service Delivery: "Delivering reliable and punctual train services"

•    Work with industry partners to improve train performance

•    Support 7.5% freight growth over the five-year period

•    Invest £2.8 billion to improve resilience against extreme weather and climate change

3.    Customers and Communities: "Dependable partner with customer service at the heart of everything we do"

•    Improve overall passenger satisfaction and experience at managed stations

•    Enhance accessibility and inclusivity across the network

•    Strengthen relationships with lineside neighbours

4.    Efficiency: "Run a safe, reliable and efficient railway"

•    Deliver £3.9 billion worth of efficiencies, building on the success of Control Period 6

•    Implement new technologies and innovative solutions to reduce costs

•    Collaborate with industry partners to make the best financial decisions

5.    Sustainable Growth: "To serve the nation with the cleanest, greenest mass transport"

•    Reduce carbon emissions by 20.5%

•    Improve biodiversity on Network Rail land

•    Transition to zero-emission vehicles and invest in charging infrastructure

6.    People: "Become a high performing, service-led organisation"

•    Improve employee engagement and develop a talented, diverse workforce

•    Invest in leadership development and continuous improvement

•    Prepare for the transition to Great British Railways

Major Investment Programmes

The CP7 plan includes several significant investment programmes:

1.    Digital Signalling: £1.4 billion investment in digital signalling infrastructure and enabling activities, primarily in England & Wales

2.    West Coast Main Line (North) Programme: £0.4 billion to modernise assets on this critical route

3.    Project Reach: £89 million to support the replacement of legacy telecoms infrastructure with new fibre optic cable

4.    Research, Development and Innovation: £146 million to deliver a wide range of programmes improving efficiency and value for money

5.    Weather Risk Task Force: £36 million to enhance resilience and sustainability in the face of extreme weather events

6.    Intelligent Infrastructure and Infrastructure Monitoring: £572 million to improve asset management through data and technology

Challenges and Uncertainties

Network Rail acknowledges several significant risks to delivering the CP7 plan, including:

•    Inflation: Recent high levels of inflation have already eroded the value of CP7 funding by £1.3 billion

•    Climate change: Increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events

•    Train performance: Challenges in forecasting and delivering performance targets

•    Income: Potential for lower levels of income due to changing service levels and economic factors

•    Rail reform: Uncertainty around the timing and implementation of industry reforms

To manage these risks, the plan includes a risk fund of £1.8 billion that can be drawn upon as needed throughout the control period.

Impact on Hiring and Workforce Development

Network Rail's ambitious CP7 delivery plan will have significant implications for hiring and workforce development across the rail industry. The plan's focus on modernisation, efficiency, and new technologies will drive demand for a range of skills and create numerous employment opportunities.

Key areas of focus for hiring and workforce development include:

1.    Digital Skills: With substantial investments in digital signalling and intelligent infrastructure, Network Rail will need to attract and develop talent with expertise in areas such as data analytics, cybersecurity, and software engineering. The organisation plans to upskill existing staff and recruit new talent to support these technological advancements.

2.    Climate Resilience Specialists: As the plan allocates £2.8 billion to improve resilience against extreme weather and climate change, there will be increased demand for professionals with expertise in climate adaptation, environmental engineering, and sustainable infrastructure design.

3.    Safety Professionals: The continued emphasis on safety will drive recruitment of safety specialists, particularly those with experience in new technologies and modern safety management systems.

4.    Apprenticeships and Graduate Schemes: Network Rail plans to increase the number of apprentices, graduates, and placements for year-in-industry students. This initiative aims to build a strong pipeline of talent and address potential skills gaps in the industry.

5.    Diversity and Inclusion: The new equity, diversity and inclusion strategy will impact hiring practices, aiming to create a more diverse workforce that better represents the communities the railway serves.

6.    Leadership Development: With a focus on "great leadership," Network Rail will invest in developing current and future leaders through training programmes and succession planning.

7.    Cross-Industry Collaboration: The plan emphasises the need for whole-industry collaboration, which may lead to new roles focused on stakeholder management and cross-functional project delivery.

8.    Operational Modernisation: As Network Rail continues to modernise its approach to maintenance and operations, there will be a shift in the skills required for front-line roles, with a greater emphasis on technology use and data-driven decision making.

9.    Research and Innovation: The significant investment in research, development, and innovation will create opportunities for engineers and researchers to work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of rail transport.

10.    Sustainability Experts: To meet ambitious carbon reduction and biodiversity targets, Network Rail will need to hire and develop professionals with expertise in sustainable practices and environmental management.

The delivery plan also acknowledges the challenges in workforce planning, particularly in light of changing skill requirements and an ageing workforce in some areas. To address this, Network Rail plans to implement strategic workforce planning initiatives and work closely with industry partners to anticipate and meet future critical skills needs.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

Network Rail emphasises the importance of collaboration with train operators, freight users, supply chain partners, and other stakeholders to successfully deliver the CP7 plan. The organisation will continue to engage with these groups throughout the control period to address emerging priorities and make necessary adjustments to the plan.

Conclusion

Network Rail's CP7 delivery plan represents a significant investment in Britain's railway infrastructure. By focusing on safety, performance, sustainability, and efficiency, the organisation aims to create a railway that better serves passengers, freight users, and the wider economy. While challenges and uncertainties remain, Network Rail is committed to working with industry partners to deliver a simpler, better, and greener railway for the future.

The plan also presents both challenges and opportunities for workforce development in the rail sector. It underscores the need for continuous learning and adaptation as the industry evolves, promising an exciting and dynamic employment landscape for those interested in contributing to the future of Britain's railways.

As Andrew Haines OBE, Chief Executive of Network Rail, stated: "Our plans for the next five years are ambitious. We'll make Britain's railway safer, more accessible, more efficient and ultimately commit to improving reliability for passengers and freight alike."