Integrated Control Centre Opens

Network Rail and ‘one’ Railway control staff are now working together under one roof at London Liverpool Street. The Anglia Integrated Control Centre (ICC) officially opened Wednesday 23 February; it is the sixth integrated control centre to be opened in the UK. Control staff are positioned according to the train lines they manage, to allow for the efficient sharing of operational information and expertise, and for the quick resolution of operational incidents to keep delays to a minimum. In addition, a Duty Network Manager, a so-called ‘fat controller’ provides a single point of authority to speed up decision-making.

Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling said: “Having Network Rail working side by side with the train operating company enables any incident to be handled far more effectively and efficiently – meaning that passengers benefit, with reduced delays.”

John Armitt, Network Rail Chief Executive said: “Integrated control centres speed incident response, streamline decision-making and deliver benefits to passengers. We look forward to delivering the same benefits to passengers using the lines out of Liverpool Street that others are already experiencing around the country.”

Tim Clarke, ‘one’ Railway Managing Director added “I am delighted that the new control centre is now up and running and look forward to the positive impact that a closer working relationship with Network Rail will have on performance and therefore, passengers.”

Delays are down significanlty in the Wessex area since an integrated control centre was opened at Waterloo a year ago 23 February 2004. Overall delays are down 30% over the last eight months; delays per incident went down 35% over the last eight months, and there has been a significant and on-going reduction in the number of major delays above 1500 minutes.