Steer appointed to work with Network Rail’s North West and Central Region

A year ago, Steer began a significant new commission to help Network Rail’s North West and Central Region, jointly with Department for Transport (DfT) to develop solutions to poor operational performance in Birmingham and Manchester. At the time, none of us could have foreseen what was to come, in the shape of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on UK Rail. Throughout the challenges 2020 has posed, we have continued to make progress to develop a better performing rail service post-COVID, alongside an effective investment plan to support the future. Our flexibility and determination in these dynamic and changing circumstances has meant our work has been extended several times with new opportunities emerging for 2021 in both the Midlands and the North. However, this is only part of our work supporting Network Rail nationally across wide-ranging reform, digital and strategy agendas.

Manchester Consultation

Steer has also been leading and managing the workstream involved as part of the Manchester Recovery Task Force. The newly launched public consultation by DfT focuses on improving performance and punctuality of rail services in and around Manchester post-COVID. The link to the timetable options can be found on the Government website.

This is the latest stage in the process and will support decision-making on next steps in the Spring with the results of the consultation forming part of the evidence base for final decisions alongside our technical work including revenue, cost, performance and deliverability impacts.

Chris Heaton-Harris, Rail Minister, said:

“We are putting the power to improve Manchester’s rail network in the hands of those that use it daily. Improving punctuality and reliability is one of my key priorities. As we continue to build back better from the pandemic, these proposals will ensure that the rail network is more dependable for those who use it every day”.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, added:

“As we look to build back better from the pandemic, we want to work with the government to deliver a reliable and dependable timetable, alongside the much-needed upgrades to our Victorian infrastructure”.

Network Rail Devolution

Steer’s work in Birmingham and Manchester is recognised as helping to demonstrate one of the benefits of Network Rail devolution; with accountability at a Regional level bringing greater focus on problems directly affecting passengers. More than that, it is some of the highest priority work being progressed by North West and Central, as outlined by Tim Shoveller (NW&C’s MD) in the current issue of Modern Railways. We are delighted to see Steer name-checked three times in the first part of this report. You can read Modern Railways on their website.