Network Rail fined £14 million for engineering overruns
28-02-2008
The UK rail regulator has fined Network Rail £14 million after engineering works overran in January, causing disruption to services.
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has ordered Network Rail to fix "systemic weaknesses" in its management of engineering projects and in its communication with train operators about progress with such projects.
Overruns on engineering projects designed to improve lines at Rugby, London Liverpool Street station and Shields Junction caused chaos for commuters returning to work after new year.
In addition, ORR also ordered Network Rail to provide a clear plan of how it intends to complete the upgrade of the west coast main line, currently due to be completed by December 2008.
Bill Emery, ORR chief executive, said: "It is right that we should also impose a fine to mark the seriousness of this breach of Network Rail's licence and to send a clear message to the company's board and senior management that it needs to address the weaknesses we have identified as a matter of urgency."
The ORR launched an inquiry after engineering works on the west coast main line overran by two days in January, leading to a line closure between Northampton and Birmingham International.
A spokesman for Network Rail said at the time the "critical issue" was a shortage of specialist engineering staff.
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