From the start of this year the Governance for Rail Investment Projects (Grip) process, which has been in place for more than a decade, is being replaced with Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment (Pace). This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. e) Phase Readiness and Engineering Milestone Reviews. endobj endobj <> We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. So what is PACE, and how does it differ from its predecessor? Senior Project Engineer - Systems - Network Rail - LinkedIn The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". All speakers stressed the need for a truly collaborative one-team culture in which project teams are empowered to challenge accepted ways of doing things. However, he cautioned that the industry must not be complacent about investment funding. NR/L2/P3M/201 : Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment (PACE) According to Wright, Grip was much more than a project lifecycle and there are hundreds of other processes, policies and governance controls across Network Rail that were affected by the Grip process. The production of estimates, for example, in terms of cost, in a range, producing both a low and higher estimated outcome. . To date we have achieved hundreds of millions of pounds worth of savings and cut years off programme schedules. One success story already realised using PACE is the restoration of the Dartmoor Railway Line, putting regular passenger services back on the line after more than 50 years. These new and innovative ways of working will be rolled out across all rail upgrades, with the intention of ensuring that passengers experience better journeys more quickly, giving greater value to taxpayers and transforming the pace and way in which our railways are improved. Overspecification is the process of building infrastructure to standards that are unnecessarily specific or risk-averse, potentially resulting in higher costs. Wright says that the regions know their project portfolio and contract frameworks better than anyone else, so they are best placed to make the right decision on when to move over. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. At the end of GRIP stage 8 of the Governance for Railway Investment Projects the project will be formally closed by the project team. to a status equivalent to RIBA 2 and Network Rail PACE ES3 (formerly GRIP 3), moving the project on to the next stage and seeking to maintain partner support and commitment; 3.3 The RIBA stage 2 report and OBC was shared with the industry working group regarding the acceptability of the work to date with a recommendation that we PACE is a new approach that will make it easier for Network Rail to integrate and respond to operational challenges. GRIP (Governance for Railway Investment Projects - Rail Engineer Halving the time and slashing the cost of project delivery are the two core principles of Network Rails application of Project Speed and is the driving force behind the move to a new project delivery framework. The Midland Main Line (MML) is one of the UKs core rail lines, running between London, Sheffield and Nottingham, via Leicester. The latest minutes from Network Rails board meeting show that the project acceleration in a controlled environment (Pace) was expected to start being rolled out last month. Like what you've read? Prior to that, his roles in the privatised railway included various quality, safety and environmental management posts. When RMT union members closed the London Underground last March, Transport for London assumed a similar role to health chiefs during the coronavirus pandemic. 3 0 obj <> In an article last year in New Civil Engineer, Mike Wright (Network Rails Capital Investment Programme Director) describes the aim of PACE to keep the rigour of Grip but not control projects so excessively that we are adding extra time and cost to the delivery.. When this standard is implemented, it is permissible for all projects that have formally completed GRIP Stage 3 (Option Selection) to continue to comply with the issue of any relevant Network Rail . 11 0 obj Management and consulting . 26 0 obj Network Rail acts on Project Speed principles with new project delivery <p>ALink Recruitment are working with a medium sized engineering and project management consultancy based in Canary Wharf, looking for a handful of Project Engineers with a strong rail background.</p>Day-to-day you will be involved in the design, engineering and project management of infrastructure projects based in the UK.<p><br><br><i>You will</i> be required to assist in planning . By Claire Smith. The problem is that Grip has become a paint by numbers process. PACE (Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment) was approved by the Network Rail board in November 2020 after several months of testing. For the past 12 months, this has been considering new ways of delivering projects and trying these out on pilot schemes. Image taken from: New Civil Engineer 'Interview | Mike Wright of Network Rail on setting a new tone for project delivery', 1 Silk Street Hybrid bills mix the characteristics of public and private bills. RIA and Network Rail invite industry to Rail Project SPEED Event on The 2017 plans consisted of a new high-speed line connecting Phase One (London to the West Midlands) to Leeds, serving an interchange at Toton (in the East Midlands) and with connections to Sheffield and the East Coast Main Line, to access destinations including York and Newcastle. Wright explains: The problem is that Grip has become a paint by numbers process. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies. According to Wright, Grip was much more than a project lifecycle and there are hundreds of other processes, policies and governance controls across Network Rail that were affected by the Grip process. In particular they need to assess what is actually necessary for the risk and complexity of the work. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Capability and Culture culture change and training programmes within Network Rail, plus the appointment of SPEED champions. Following the highly successful Rail SPEED Conference on 26 February, introduced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Network Rail and the Railway Industry Association (RIA) are holding a FREE follow-up event to explore some of the work that underpins SPEED in more detail. It requires the provision of six new stations and has to accommodate two passenger trains per hour in addition to the existing freight service. According to Network rail, the aims of project SPEED are: PACE is divided up into five main stages for efficient enhancement delivery of rail infrastructure: These stages are similar to GRIP process but effort has been made to reduce the control on projects so as not to add excessively to the time estimates whilst still maintaining the rigour of the design and implementation process. . Experience of working in the UK rail industry with good working knowledge of Network Rail GRIP / PACE process / standards and approval processes. Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris told the conference there is a business imperative to get on with modernisation of the network, but there is a need to guard against complacency as the success of current rail programmes will influence future investment. 21 0 obj Another example is the planning of blockades which must have as much work as possible thrown into them and so might delay some schemes. Pace offers a more flexible framework that can be more tailored . Rolling stock, depots, Scottish and Russian railways. This can be done as an order under existing legislation, such as Transport and Works Act Orders (TWAO) or Development Consent Orders (DCO), or via new legislation that must pass through Parliament (hybrid bills). /Resources 917 0 R PACE and Optioneering avoiding a drawn-out option selection process by providing a more flexible approach whilst maintaining rigour. Gate reviews were held to consider relevant documentation to confirm completion of the required activities. PACE has a phase readiness review process to provide an assurance that a project is not proceeding at risk into the next phase. You have entered an incorrect email address! The latter was seen as the best way forward and Pace was born but what are the key differences? In a double act, Natasha Luddington, Project Director (Enhancements), Network Rail Wales & Western, and Amanda Roper, DfTs Deputy Director for the Restoring Your Railway programme, described how their organisations had worked together to identify themes where changes were needed that cut across organisational boundaries. The first looked at a number of live projects and gave them a very real challenge to go away and look at cost plans, schedules and the plan of work to identify opportunities to do things better, faster, cheaper and safer; as well as identify our internal processes, regulatory framework or legislation that act as blockers to those things. The governments plan to transform rail links between key cities across the north of England through new lines and upgrades. A cross-government programme of work led by HM Treasury, looking across the whole project lifecycle with the aim to deliver major infrastructure projects better, greener, faster. <> Typically, a minimum of 5 years' experience working in the rail sector. Experience in the design of rail-related mechanical systems Experience of working in the UK rail industry with good working knowledge of Network Rail GRIP / PACE process / standards and approval processes. This is where the needs and requirements of a project are defined. GRIP focuses on projects which enhance or renew the national rail network as opposed to those involved with routine maintenance of the railway and was developed in order to minimise and mitigate the risks associated with delivering such projects . Their Regional Rail Director, Simon Middleton, described how the project had been involved with Project SPEED since summer last year and had since reduced capital costs by 25% and accelerated completion by ten months to the end of 2023. AECOM produced the Strategic Outline Business Case and are providing project management services. 25 0 obj It was concluded that there had to be a move from a rules-based model to one based on principles. Rail leaders frustrated as DfT tightens grip and cuts loom He felt that rail is well placed to be a key part of the recovery from the Covid crisis and to decarbonise transport, but stressed that the required investment cannot be taken for granted. Three broad options for completing the EL to Leeds under a Second Phase remain open and will be considered under further work, including the original HS2 plan, a route via the Erewash Line or a mix of upgrades and new lines via Newark and the East Coast Main Line. /Parent 2 0 R Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. Stuart considered that the knowledge hub is one of most important things the centre is doing as it is not possible to know if costs and timescales are being reduced unless there are good baselines. 12 0 obj But it is rarely used properly so it is not fit for purpose, he said. Network Rail joins the public sector: but don't call it Getting different parts of the railway to work much more closely together will also be an essential aspect of the Williams Review, bringing significant changes to the industrys structure. With this statement, Network Rails CEO, Andrew Haines, set the scene at a recent online Project SPEED conference. Grip is being retired during this year with each of the five Network Rail regions given the power to make decisions about how and when projects migrate to Pace. Led by Network Rails Industry Programme Director Christian Irwin, the project moved quickly from feasibility to detailed design, enabling implementation of the works in April 202; a move from concept to construction in just 8 weeks. /Outlines 971 0 R Pace will place that review closer to the project. Mechanical Engineer Job in London, England | Glassdoor PDF Ace Project Speed Briefing Rail - Association for Consultancy and It is costing money and time.. All six programmes developed proposals to reduce timescales and cost, and then defended their proposals through peer reviews and challenge panels. The requirements for this review are determined by the required Level of Control (LoC) which is determined from a risk-based assessment that takes account of issues such as project novelty, technology and design complexity, and operational impact. 13 0 obj Where our earlier organisational change has given us the right structure, SPEED will give us the right mindset, and tools, to put passengers first and drive value. RAIL PROJECT SPEED FORMALLY LAUNCHED - Modern Railways Wright and his team have spent the early months of this year rolling out the Pace concept to Network Rail staff and its supply chain. Led by Network Rail's Industry Programme Director Christian Irwin, the project moved quickly from feasibility to detailed design, enabling implementation of the works in April 202; a move from concept to construction in just 8 weeks. But, this week rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris said that the budget would now. endobj Stuart advises that the centre will be a focus for this and is developing good peer review practice which will involve external experts on critical projects. It represents the local transport and local highways authorities of the West and East Midlands. Enter your email and we'll let you know when a new long read is published. By Claire Smith. Experience of working in the UK rail industry with good working knowledge of Network Rail GRIP / PACE process / standards and approval processes. endobj The aim of Pace is to keep the rigour of Grip but not control projects so excessively that we are adding extra time and cost to the delivery.. Hence, despite many successful recent projects, the legacy of others so high-profile and over-budget has been deeply harmful to the industry, creating doubt about its ability to deliver projects, whilst GWEP caused the Westminster government to lose faith in electrification. HS2 Phase 2a will extend the high-speed rail line north from the West Midlands at Birmingham to Crewe, helping towns and cities across North West England, North Wales and Scotland benefit from it sooner. And that is why it is not fit. To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. Experience working in a number of the below areas: Station Design - AfA, platforms, station buildings and canopy design. Network Rail developed the GRIP (Governance for Railway Investment Projects) process to manage and control investment projects - ones that enhance or renew the national rail network as opposed to those involved with routine maintenance of the railway. endobj This needs a quantum change in the way projects are delivered if the industry is to win back the trust of decision makers. <> /Parent 2 0 R He also reiterated that anyone with ideas to improve project delivery should contact [emailprotected], SPECIALIST AREAS The Restoring Your Railway (RYR) policy aims to reinstate axed local rail services and restore closed stations. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Network Rails process for developing railway interventions, split into various gateways in a similar manner to the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP). Description used where a station consists of multiple layers of tracks the low-level line runs below the high-level line. <> <> document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In an article last year in New Civil Engineer, Mike Wright (Network Rails Capital Investment Programme Director) describes the aim of PACE to keep the rigour of Grip but not control projects so excessively that we are adding extra time and cost to the delivery.. endobj This policy comprises a number of individual projects with varying stages of delivery maturity. www.legal500.com >> Rail lineside civils works including UTX/URX design & lineside structures. Timetabling developing a meaningful plan linked to the investment lifecycle and joint funding decisions. In this Integrated Rail Plan, proposals for electrification in the North and Midlands refers to the installation of OLE along stated routes. <> Rail SPEED is one of the contributions that the Department for Transport is making to the cross-government work on Project Speed. There was widespread concern that the eight-stage GRIP (Governance for Railway Investment Projects) process had become a straitjacket which required project teams to focus on its deliverables. A simpler project management structure, which can be followed by all departments working on projects at any one time; Improved delegation of authority up the chain of command; A greater focus on risk management across all levels of the organisation; More effective use of key performance indicators (KPIs); A more coherent approach to procurement and contracting processes across different disciplines (including civil engineering works). One-team Culture encouraging improved working between the DfT, Network Rail and across wider industry to embrace the SPEED mindset. Providing a new platform at Stevenage a year earlier than planned, in part due to GTR doing the station fit-out, saved 1 million in rail replacement bus costs. Our expertise extends to depots, operations, maintenance analytics and asset management across all aspects of rail, including transport, technical and sustainability assessments and systems infrastructure. About Us Egis is a leading global consulting, construction engineering and operating firm. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. A spur from the Western Leg of HS2 connecting to the West Coast Main Line south of Wigan, enabling HS2 services to Scotland (Glasgow and Edinburgh) to avoid congested sections of the West Coast Main Line between Crewe and Wigan. I have working knowledge in the application of GRIP and PACE applications to projects. Jobs | SRC Infrastructure By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It will also encourage greater collaboration between teams working on different projects by allowing them to share lessons learned from previous work in order to improve delivery. Learn how your comment data is processed. /Parent 2 0 R Project Engineer Job London England UK,Engineering SPEED is all about the mindset shift needed in the industry to radically transform our cost base and programmes for infrastructure, and embracing the PACE frameworks is one of the ways in which this can be enabled. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The Western Leg (WL) of HS2 Phase 2b, completing the high-speed line from Crewe to Manchester, including the Golborne Link. Knowledge of Network Rail GRIP/PACE process is desirable; What we offer: A career at Telent . This provides increased focus on client/funder requirements by getting the right balance of time, cost and scope of work. This may comprise the use of batteries or the installation of electrical supply infrastructure allowing trains to draw current from either an electrified third rail or from Overhead Line Equipment (OLE).