Review of CP7 Market-Led and Minimum Viable Product proposals for Network Rail

Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines invited AECOM to carry out a review of the five Network Rail Regions’ renewals plans for Control Period 7 (CP7) in relation to Market-Led and Minimum Viable Product interventions for track, structures, level crossings and signalling.

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AECOM invited Cadenza to provide a structures specialist and to lead the railway technical expert team. Cadenza worked closely with the AECOM team to develop and deliver the programme and strategy for engaging with senior technical and financial members of the Network Rail Regions.

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In all, more than 110 stakeholders were interviewed by the team in 15 locations across the country, online and in-person, with CP7 Network planning leads, regional commercial directors, regional heads of asset management and planning, network technical heads and engineers, regional heads of access, regional and route engineers.

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Cadenza led the development of the key questions list shared in advance with interviewees, and generated many of the potential savings opportunities ideas to be tested with the regions.

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Cadenza was engaged in about half of the discussions with regions, covering market-led and structures topics in particular but supported in several of the track and signalling/ level crossing meetings also.

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The final report shortlisted 13 key recommendations and 28 wider opportunities with up to £0.5Bn potential financial opportunities identified.

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Cadenza’s strategic approach along with its technical understanding and credibility during discussions enabled positive and open engagement with senior figures and technical experts who had already been through several rounds of similar studies with others, eliciting additional opportunities.