The rail industry has come together for the first time to drive forward SPEED – a project to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness in delivering UK rail infrastructure projects.
More than 140 representatives from the Department for Transport (DfT), the supply chain, train operating companies and other stakeholders attended the SPEED Industry Partnership Conference, which was hosted by Network Rail and the Railway Industry Association (RIA) on Thursday 25 April.
SPEED was co-developed by Network Rail and DfT, with support from train operators and suppliers, to significantly reduce infrastructure project delivery timescales and create cost efficiencies.
By applying SPEED core principles in CP6, project teams were able to realise £1.5 billion in cost efficiencies and identified multiple years in schedule efficiency.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to come together to share successes, understand challenges to create improved ways of working, deliver better outcomes to attract continued investment, and keep a safe, maintainable network running for passengers and freight.
Key speakers included DfT Rail Infrastructure Central Director Cavendish Elithorn, Network Rail Investment Centre of Excellence Director Christian Irwin, Network Rail Capital Delivery Director Wales and Western Tim Walden and RIA Technical Director David Clarke.
Discussion topics highlighted CP6 SPEED learning and progress, CP7 SPEED vision, priorities and industry efficiency challenges, Industry Work Pipeline Charter and the new legislative Procurement Act.
Interactive sessions considered how the industry as a whole can deliver better during CP7 and beyond. There was also a Q&A session and networking opportunities.
Conference learnings and outputs will form the CP7 SPEED Industry Partnership action plan.
“Adopting SPEED principles in CP6 realised significant efficiencies and, as we transition into CP7, we continue to focus on and embed SPEED,” commented Sue Millington – Head of Programme Management, Network Rail.
“Fundamental to our approach is the SPEED Industry Partnership, engaging and collaborating with the DfT, suppliers, operators and other stakeholders to challenge inefficiency and deliver better outcomes for all.
“The conference provided a first-time opportunity to bring stakeholders together to further facilitate a collaborative culture and encourage a change in mindset to empower everyone to think differently, be bold, ambitious and challenge how we do things.
“Each of us has a role to play in crafting a legacy of smart, sustainable rail infrastructure for the future and as SPEED advocates, conference attendees will help to realise our ambitions of delivering a safer and more efficient railway for our customers.”
A second conference is being held in October at which the same attendees will return to showcase how their organisations have embedded SPEED principles, sharing outcomes and learnings.
