Engineering news
The intelligent use of signalling and traffic management technology through the "Digital Railway" could bring ‘substantial benefit’ to the UK's rail network, a select committee of MPs has said.
However, rail unions have also expressed concern that the programme, an initiative being led by Network Rail, could be used as a way to usher in more job cuts. The Digital Railway is designed to tackle the UK’s "capacity crunch" by accelerating the digital modernisation of the railway.
In the Transport Select Committee's report Rail technology: signalling and traffic management, it said that the fully implemented, cross-industry delivery plan, is to be encouraged.
However, Network Rail should make sure that “the right interventions are used on the right routes and take their time to get it right”. The report warned that if National Rail produces over-ambitious plans that then need to be scaled back, because it risks discouraging further investment in the UK by rail technology suppliers.
The committee said it does not “advocate or reject any specific option” but recommends that Network Rail undertakes a full cost/benefit analysis which is published for consultation, before finalising its strategy.
MP Louise Ellman, chair of the Transport Select Committee, said that there is an urgent need to increase capacity, and that the Digital Railway programme could have “real impact” that there needs to be measured and realistic plans to progress it.
“Network Rail needs to keep a firm grip and to include the whole sector,” said Ellman. "This is a real opportunity to give the UK's rail passengers a world class system. Network Rail's past performance in planning major enhancements has been poor but this is an exciting opportunity to restore confidence by co-ordinating a whole sector approach which delivers real improvements for the passenger and industry."
General secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, Mick Cash, said: “We have serious concerns that the trendy-sounding Digital Railway project could be just another wrapper used to try and smuggle through a fresh package of cuts.
“The union will fight any attempts to unleash a jobs massacre, a dilution of safety standards and the bulldozing through of a faceless, dehumanised railway. Any new technology must be fully tested, proven and safe. It must not be a convenient smokescreen for axing jobs.”
“The travelling public will be well aware that it is a major challenge to get a basic WiFi signal on our trains which puts the concept of a Digital Railway firmly into context.”
The Digital Railway business plan is expected to be published before the end of this year.