Network Rail says infrastructure will become less reliable

Rail infrastructure in England and Wales is likely to become less reliable over the next five years, the body responsible for maintaining it has said.

Network Rail looks after the tracks, bridges, tunnels, embankments and points that are critical to the safe running of trains.

In his new business plan it says a sharp increase in extreme weather events has damaged aging infrastructure.

At the same time, costs have increased.

As a result, investment will need to be targeted to areas that will “deliver the greatest economic and social benefits”, Network Rail said.

Chief executive Andrew Haynes said that given the tight budget, funding would “have to go further than ever before”.

The Government has allocated £44.1bn for the period 2024-2029 to the strategic business plan, an increase of £3bn on the previous five-year period. But this is well below current inflation rates and should cover the cost of electricity to run trains, which were previously funded separately.

The plan, released on Friday, said there had been a 50 percent increase in “adverse climate impacts” over the past five years compared to the previous 10, a trend expected to continue.

He also pointed out that many railway structures were installed in Victorian times and their exposure to changing weather patterns meant more damage and weather-related disturbances.

Investment in tackling climate change and trying to make the railway more sustainable – for example improving drainage and earthworks – will double under the new plan to £1.6 billion.

Network Rail said it sought to prioritize investment in weatherproofing where possible, but maintaining the pace with the funding available would pose a “continuing risk”.

As a result of these factors, Network Rail expects a “reduction in asset reliability” over the plan period.

Network Rail said it was balancing its spending and interventions to protect safety, but expected “little impact on train operations”.

Friday’s strategic plan covers England and Wales. A plan for Scotland will soon follow, Network Rail said.

The rail infrastructure in Northern Ireland is owned by a separate transport operator, Translink.

Network Rail is aiming to achieve £3.4bn of “efficiency” over the next five years and the strategic plan says parts of the network that generate less revenue will not be prioritized for investment as part of “difficult choices and compromises’.

A series of recent incidents have shown the problems that can be caused when aging infrastructure fails or extreme weather weakens embankments.

Part of a main line through Oxfordshire is closed until mid-June while repairs are carried out to the collapsing Nuneham Viaduct.

A separate large landslide near Hook in Hampshire in January caused prolonged disruption on the main line that links London Waterloo with south-west England.

The regulator, the Office of Rail and Road, must approve the spending plans for Network Rail to implement them. It should issue a final decision by the end of the year.