For
the first time in almost 10 years the core parts of the rail network –
operations and maintenance – will be unified as the final 4,600 maintenance
workers transfer to Network Rail this weekend.
Since
Network Rail made the decision to bring rail maintenance back in-house and
create a single integrated rail maintenance operation last October, some 16,000
maintenance staff, a fleet of 5,000 road vehicles, a network of training
centres and almost 600 depots have come under direct Network Rail control.
Network
Rail chief executive John Armitt said: "This massive achievement has
reunited the key elements of the operation of the railway that lie at the heart
of improving train performance.
"I
must pay tribute to our employees, those transferring into the company and the
previous maintenance companies for helping to make the transfer go so
smoothly," he said. "Their dedication and professionalism has already
helped Network Rail reap the benefits by delivering cost efficiencies and
performance improvements."
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