network rail grip pace

With this statement, Network Rails CEO, Andrew Haines, set the scene at a recent online Project SPEED conference. endobj This can be measured in trains per hour, or by seats. 30 0 obj It involved eight 'stages' from feasibility through to operational handback. PACE is a new approach that will make it easier for Network Rail to integrate and respond to operational challenges. Furthermore, its linear process was too inflexible. 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. It will help the railway better cope with disruptions and ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget. Fast services between Leeds and London currently use this line. 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. It is a series of proposed rail interventions to improve rail connectivity on a West-East basis through Birmingham Moor Street station. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The contracts must be settled, warranties agreed and benefit assessments begin. This was hosted by the Railway Industry Association and had 2,400 participants, half of whom were suppliers. Network Rail is more relaxed over what people choose to call it. Network Rails standard NR/L2/P3M/201, Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment (PACE), started to be applied to new projects on 4th January and will progressively be applied to live projects unless there is a reason not to do so. Within Pace we are trying to create a framework with a delegated authority of decision making, We have cultivated a whole generation of people who apply it mechanically. The purpose of PACE is to provide a project delivery framework that can be tailored by the project to the individual needs of each project. To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. We also delivered all the DNO cubicles. 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. <> Amounts of time and cost required to move projects from concept to reality are often criticised in the UK construction industry, but Network Rail is tackling the issue head on with a fresh look at its project delivery framework. endobj A slower train being run on a route with a high line speed may occupy several train paths as it travels along the line. In 2013, the latter gave him an award for being its international journalist of the year. 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. ProjectSPEED(Swift, Pragmatic and Efficient Enhancement Delivery) is a joint initiative between the Department for Transport and Network Rail. It is about being bold, curious and challenging. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. This is split into two parts. . 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. The cost savings were achieved by identifying efficiencies and ensuring that the project only included requirements to introduce the passenger service. Any technical or legal issues that could cancel an option or a project should have been identified by this point. Jakartas Transport & Urban Planning Progress? David Shirres joined British Rail in 1968 as a scholarship student and graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Sussex University. About Us Egis is a leading global consulting, construction engineering and operating firm. Sign in or Register a new account to join the discussion. In particular they need to assess what is actually necessary for the risk and complexity of the work. Dont worry we wont send you spam or share your email address with anyone. In a double act, Natasha Luddington, Project Director (Enhancements), Network Rail Wales & Western, and Amanda Roper, DfTs Deputy Director for the Restoring Your Railway programme, described how their organisations had worked together to identify themes where changes were needed that cut across organisational boundaries. Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 21/29 PACE programme (the transition from GRIP) Stuart Calvert joined the meeting. The Western Leg (WL) of HS2 Phase 2b, completing the high-speed line from Crewe to Manchester, including the Golborne Link. Involving the whole project life cycle, in a complex and demanding operational environment. Desirable Skills and Knowledge Previous delivery of projects through Network Rail Grip stages 1-3. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. "Governance for Railway Investment Projects" (GRIP) describes how Network Rail manages and controls projects that enhance or renew the national rail network. In this Integrated Rail Plan, Manchester Piccadilly station would operate as a turnback station. <> PACE allows schemes to progress through design decision gateways aligned with the RNEP investment decision gateways. Project SPEED therefore potentially offers GTR significant benefits as the companys Infrastructure Director, Keith Jipps, explained. 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. endobj 18 0 obj An independent, not-for-profit company that provides analysis and commentary on the UKs high-speed rail network. You can change your cookie settings at any time. PACE has replaced GRIP as the government looks to speed up the delivery of rail projects. PACE has been created from Project SPEED (Swift, Pragmatic and Efficient Enhancement Delivery), itself part of the governments Covid-19 recovery plan to deliver public investment projects faster and for less money. /Parent 2 0 R endobj Their Regional Rail Director, Simon Middleton, described how the project had been involved with Project SPEED since summer last year and had since reduced capital costs by 25% and accelerated completion by ten months to the end of 2023. An engineering phase gate review (right) is done at specific milestones within the project phases. ALink Recruitment are working with a medium sized engineering and project management consultancy based in Canary Wharf, looking for a handful of Project Engineers with a strong rail background.Day-to-day you will be involved in the design, engineering and project management of infrastructure projects based in the UK. You will be required to assist in planning . A line or station operating below High Speed, similar to the existing national rail network. GRIP, a project by Network Rail to help deliver efficiency improvements on the rail network, has been replaced by a new programme called PACE. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Hear from Tim Walden, Transformation Director and Mike Wright, Programme Management Director of Network Rail. Manchester M4 6LZ endobj When RMT union members closed the London Underground last March, Transport for London assumed a similar role to health chiefs during the coronavirus pandemic. Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris told the conference there is a business imperative to get on with modernisation of the network, but there is a need to guard against complacency as the success of current rail programmes will influence future investment. Phase One will open between 2029 and 2033. Stuart considered that the knowledge hub is one of most important things the centre is doing as it is not possible to know if costs and timescales are being reduced unless there are good baselines. 24 0 obj Experience of working in the UK rail industry with good working knowledge of Network Rail GRIP / PACE process / standards and approval processes. 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. Part of the PACE ethos is empowering and delegating authority to those best placed for decision making within the project team. HS2 Phase One is the first phase of HS2 connecting London to the West Midlands, where it will rejoin the existing West Coast Main Line. In 1975, he took a three-year break as a volunteer to manage an irrigation project in Bangladesh. US $278. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. What is the SPEED approach? Sign in or Register a new account to join the discussion. Wright says that a complex, major project may still run through these stages sequentially but the stages can be overlapped and combined for smaller schemes. So what is PACE, and how does it differ from its predecessor? GRIP is used to describe how Network Rail manages project delivery of projects within the national rail network. She emphasised that SPEED was not about rushing or cutting corners; instead it was about being more thoughtful about what we do.. Three broad options for completing the EL to Leeds under a Second Phase remain open and will be considered under further work, including the original HS2 plan, a route via the Erewash Line or a mix of upgrades and new lines via Newark and the East Coast Main Line. PACE has a phase readiness review process to provide an assurance that a project is not proceeding at risk into the next phase. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. These improvements, together with the identification of additional benefits, enable the DfT to accelerate the project through the RNEP process, with the time to get to decision to deliver brought forward by 12 months. Wright explains: The problem is that Grip has become a paint by numbers process. SRC Infrastructure has been providing project management and engineering-based advisory, consultancy and managed services solutions to UK infrastructure clients for almost 20 years. Linked to the Gatwick Airport project was the introduction of longer eight-car trains that required platform extensions at three stations. DWF > The Legal 500 Rankings Real estate > Social housing Tier 1 DWF's affordable housing practice is a go-to name for high-profile national and regional mandates, acting for a His roles in British Rail included Maintenance Assistant at Slade Green, Depot Engineer at Haymarket, Scottish DM&EE Training Engineer and ScotRail Safety Systems Manager. To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. /Parent 2 0 R This reduces the issues associated with timetabling fast and slow trains on the same tracks, which become particularly prominent when the speeds differential of such services is greater, or when a greater frequency of trains operates. 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. Despite the funding deficit . <> The Restoring Your Railway (RYR) policy aims to reinstate axed local rail services and restore closed stations. Wright and his team have spent the early months of this year rolling out the Pace concept to Network Rail staff and its supply chain. This policy comprises a number of individual projects with varying stages of delivery maturity. 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. 19 0 obj 6 0 obj GRIP, the tool currently used to manage delivering railway investment projects in Network Rail, is seen as too rigid and can often lead to unnecessary delays. >> To do so, the centre is providing a knowledge hub, assessing best practice with the supply chain, providing professional development, supporting project assurance and acting as a point of contact with the DfT for the Railway Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) process. <> 10 0 obj The statutory approval process for schemes. 29 0 obj Phase 2a will open by 2033. Network Rails GRIP process was developed to minimise delivery risk by dividing a project into eight distinct stages for which there was a defined set of activities which had to be completed before starting the next stage. PACE was applied to the Okehampton project which we were a part of. And that is why it is not fit. The centre of excellence is also working with the DfT to improve the RNEP process and incorporates the RNEP portfolio funding team. The benefits of PACE are said to include: 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 Rails director of NR2N (Network Rail 2nd Generation). 1 0 obj PACE is designed to maximise value and minimise bureaucracy when applied appropriately. Able to undertake the NR/L2/INI/02009 roles of Contractors Responsible Engineer (CRE) or equivalent. Project SPEED (Swift, Pragmatic and Efficient Enhancement Delivery) is a joint initiative between the Department for Transport and Network Rail. At the end of GRIP stage 8 of the Governance for Railway Investment Projects the project will be formally closed by the project team. Plans for Phase 2b have to date included Crewe to Manchester and Golborne Link, West Midlands to East Midlands, Leeds, and the East Coast Main Line. endobj Network Rail's GRIP process was developed to minimise delivery risk by dividing a project into eight distinct stages for which there was a defined set of activities which had to be completed before starting the next stage. For more information on how Raildiary cantransform your project delivery, book a product demo with our team here. GRIP/PACE Network Rail's process for developing railway interventions, split into various gateways in a similar manner to the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP). Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment (PACE) describes how Network Rail manages and controls investment projects on the rail network. Access and Possessions developing new, better-coordinated access strategies. GRIP Process Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) describes how Network Rail manages and controls projects that enhance or renew the national rail network. Witham Fourth District Internal Drainage Board, We use cookies to personalize and improve your experience on our site. It involved eight stages from feasibility through to operational handback. Experience in the design of rail-related mechanical systems Image taken from: New Civil Engineer 'Interview | Mike Wright of Network Rail on setting a new tone for project delivery', 1 Silk Street endobj Cable Routing Strategy; Detailing the means of running all cables for he scheme and to demonstrate the methods of achieving full diversity. 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. We are a small to medium sized company that has built a strong reputation delivering multi-disciplinary projects and programmes for private and public sector clients. PACE has. He was assured that if he felt a panel was not adding any value, he should feel empowered to challenge its necessity. Its aim is to secure rail investment by demonstrating that the industry can become more competitive by significantly reducing costs and halving the time it takes to complete projects. Rail lineside civils works including UTX/URX design & lineside structures. Timetabling developing a meaningful plan linked to the investment lifecycle and joint funding decisions. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Description used where a station consists of multiple layers of tracks the low-level line runs below the high-level line. Assurance has to remain a really important part of project delivery to avoid throwing the baby out with bath water. Wright adds: I have one project that under Pace will save up to 75% on the time needed on running through the Grip 1 to Grip 3 process.. Office: 1 Silk Street, Manchester M4 6LZ. It's been claimed that PACE will have an even greater impact than GRIP in delivering efficiency gains. 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. Assurance developing a more integrated approach. Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines told last autumns Rail Industry Alliance annual conference that the eight-stage governance in rail investment projects (Grip) framework process, which was first adopted in 2010, was to be replaced because its not effective. 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. So what is PACE, and how does it differ from its predecessor? During Week 48 our track team completed 570 yards of Cat11/Cat16 track renewals during a 29-hour possession of the Leeds lines. Grip is a very methodical approach to project management, but a number of the [people involved in the] projects felt that by being so prescriptive in how you move through the process, it meant that they spent a lot more time and therefore a lot more money delivering projects than was necessary, explains Wright. The one-team approach dovetails into the Williams Review which will require the different parts of the railway to work much more closely together. GRIP (Governance for Railway Investment Projects) had been used as a framework for managing projects since 2000. It will remove layers of process and bureaucracy that add little value, while freeing up time to focus on doing the things that matter, safely. Caveat in AIP defered to Grip 4. Enter your email and we'll let you know when a new long read is published. /Resources <> Under Pace the same eight stages exist although they are renamed project milestones and the order that they run in and the overlap between them is much more flexible. They were split across three formal project management phases. The problem is that Grip has become a paint by numbers process. It gets a robust outcome but the challenge were creating with Pace is asking at the start if theres a better way of achieving the same outcome.. Network Rail, the train operator, maintenance team and other relevant authorities are engaged to receive ownership of the project, now called an asset. Network Rail are replacing GRIP with PACE, a new tool that allows project managers to adapt their approach, make decisions that best meet the needs of their project and overlay stages while maintaining rigour. PACE is a new approach that will make it easier for Network Rail to integrate and respond to operational challenges. It's been claimed that PACE will have an even greater impact than GRIP in delivering efficiency gains. The new framework will be "a lot more flexible" than GRIP and will allow for more effective use of resources across projects. . Wright says that there was a choice between updating the existing Grip system or doing something new and drastically different to realise the opportunity. Segregating fast and slow rail services onto separate tracks. Our readers include transport experts, politicians and enthusiasts both in the UK and globally. 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 . A statutory sub-national transport body that makes the case for transport improvements in the north of England. 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. 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. The new framework will be a lot more flexible than GRIP and will allow for more effective use of resources across projects. Rail SPEED is one of the contributions that the Department for Transport is making to the cross-government work on Project Speed. 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. The standards to which infrastructure is built. SRC Infrastructure has been providing project management and engineering-based advisory, consultancy and managed services solutions to UK infrastructure clients for 20 years. >> <> To date we have achieved hundreds of millions of pounds worth of savings and cut years off programme schedules. /StructTreeRoot 44 0 R To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. SRC Infrastructure has been providing project management and engineering-based advisory, consultancy and managed services solutions to UK infrastructure clients for 20 years. PACE (Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment) was approved by the Network Rail board in November 2020 after several months of testing. Visit our, Interview | Mike Wright of Network Rail on setting a new tone for project delivery, 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. The Phase 2b WL also includes sections of track that will be used for Northern Powerhouse Rail and will deliver a station at Manchester Piccadilly designed to integrate future NPR requirements. 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. <> The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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 help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. He expected the railway to be radical in its thinking, remove bureaucracy that adds little value and focus on things that matter more such as safety, customer service and rolling out new technologies. 10 May, 2021 Gate reviews were held to consider relevant documentation to confirm completion of the required activities. He felt that, whilst Network Rails organisational changes provided the right structure, Project SPEED will give us the right mindset. 8 0 obj He stressed the benefits of the one-team approach that required funders, users and suppliers to be involved as early as possible, for which suitable procurement arrangements were required. Midlands Rail Hub (MRH) is a core component of the flagship Midlands Engine Rail programme. 21 0 obj This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It was concluded that there had to be a move from a rules-based model to one based on principles. endobj <> Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. endobj Keith was sure that Project SPEED was absolutely the right approach and that effective partnerships between Network Rail, suppliers and operators were essential. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. According to the board meeting minutes, Pace offers a more flexible framework that can be more tailored to meet the bespoke needs of an individual project and improve trade-offs between time, cost and scope constraints. Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines has previously said that if it is used properly, Grip works. Mitsubishi Signs $1.9b Commuter Rail Deal With Manila: Nikkei. United Kingdom Local stakeholders have been invited to propose RYR projects. 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..

network rail grip pace 2023