Balfour Beatty publishes ‘Fast Track to Digital Railway’ paper

Balfour Beatty has published new guidance – entitled ‘Fast Track to Digital Railway: Delivering the vision‘ – which explores the ways in which a world-class rail network can benefit the UK economy.

The Digital Railway is a brand new industry-wide initiative aimed at bringing new technology to the fore to boost network capacity and improve the passenger experience. A rail network that is fit for the future will undoubtedly stimulate the UK economy at a time when economic strength is most in need.

Balfour Beatty is using the Digital Railway as a springboard for new thinking with a view to integrating the many elements associated with a contemporary railway. The infrastructure specialist has also identified three key factors which it says are instrumental to the network’s success:

1. Ensure the industry as a whole is engaged and that momentum is maintained. The relationship between Network Rail and its supply chain will have to evolve dramatically from transactions to partnerships across the life-cycle of an asset, all in service of a long-term shared strategic vision.
2. Funding must be in place. The Department for Transport (DfT) should consider whether the Digital Railway – or elements of it – be placed outside of the current five-year funding cycle, with the private sector playing a role in bridging the funding gap.
3. Skills need to be ready at the right time. The Digital Railway highlights the need to increase the number of skilled worked employed in the rail sector, and the need for these workers to be multi-skilled. A culture of continuous improvement must also be encouraged to ensure workers remain in-step with emerging technology.

According to Mark Bullock, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s rail business: “The Digital Railway will be transformative, bringing the UK’s railways into the 21st century. Making the Digital Railway a reality calls for a shake-up of the way the rail industry does business by better connecting the constituent parts, aligning the objectives of multiple stakeholders and bringing track and trains closer together. This will require robust planning and coordination, funding and a concerted effort to address the skills shortage.

“Above all, the new approach will have to be more collaborative and more inclusive. Although the challenges are significant, the potential prize is great. The industry must come together to unlock the benefits of the Digital Railway and Balfour Beatty is committed to making this happen.”

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