The infrastructure pillar of Europe's Shift2Rail research programme promises a raft of innovations aimed at improving resilience and reducing costs. Professor Andy Doherty, chief rail technology officer with Network Rail and chairman of the European Rail Research Advisory Council, outlined the aspirations for this major initiative at the recent VDEI track conference in Münster, Germany.

Just a year into its five-year funding period, British infrastructure manager Network Rail is mired in a spending crisis with its programme of renewals and enhancements running behind schedule and over budget. With projects deferred, new managers drafted in, and reviews underway, a completely new structure for the management of Britain's railway infrastructure could be on its way, as Keith Barrow reports.

FOUR British universities have launched an £8.5m five-year research programme aimed at developing track which will cost less, last longer and have reduced maintenance needs.

SIR Peter Hendy, London's transport commissioner, has been appointed chairman of Network Rail (NR) and told to review its five-year £38bn investment programme which is running over budget with some projects delayed.

THE University of Huddersfield's Institute of Railway Research (IRR) has been tasked with investigating innovative switches and crossings as well as new types of track system as part of the €18m In²Rail track and infrastructure programme, which is one of the three "lighthouse" projects within Europe's Shift²Rail project.

BRITISH infrastructure manager Network Rail has completed the construction of a new platform at Needham Market station on the London – Norwich line in less than 36 hours using a new composite fibreglass platform system.

Network Rail (NR) is currently revising its approach to track worker safety according to three specific principles. Stuart Browning, NR's programme manager control of work, Michelle Rogers, engagement manager at Oliver Wyman, and Albert Luggenhorst, associate at Oliver Wyman, outline this process and how it is helping to reduce incidents on the railway.

A shortage of suitable DMU stock means operators on many regional and suburban routes in
Britain are struggling to cope with an inadequate fleet of ageing trains. One solution could be the conversion of former London Underground trains to DMUs, as Keith Barrow discovers.

The economic disparity between the north and south of England has been mirrored by inconsistent levels of investment in the rail network. But with a general election this month and tendering underway for new passenger franchises, bold proposals are emerging for the north's railways, as Keith Barrow reports.