FACT OR FICTION

A REMEDY FOR MILDMAY

Unhealthy performance figures on the Mildmay line mean it is in need of some treatment. Emma Askam-Johns, on-time performance leader, helps sort the fact from the fiction

Performance figures have been going downhill for some time

FACT: The Mildmay line is a busy, congested and complex piece of mixed-use railway, and the performance of the infrastructure and our own rolling stock is not where we want it to be. These factors, combined with the volume of passengers returning to the network since the pandemic, has made it difficult to meet our performance targets and we are currently 2.5% adrift of our Line of Route target for ‘T-3’ at destination (the number of trains reaching their destination within three minutes of their booked arrival time).

We increased services, so the issues are of our own making

FICTION: We did increase the frequency of service in December 2019 to cope with passenger growth. Crowding would be even worse had we not done so. Some of the line’s infrastructure is old and prone to failure, and its layout and technical configuration can make it difficult to spot and fix problems quickly. Part of the line is covered by old manual ‘NX’ signal boxes rather than automated systems, which can add to the complexity of resolving disruption. The line also has high levels of freight traffic, and any issues with these trains can have a huge knock-on effect.

Changes in maintenance policy have had an impact

FACT: Network Rail’s ‘no red zone working’ is a life-saving safety policy that prevents workers from being exposed to moving trains. However, it does mean that identifying and fixing issues can take longer so Network Rail is introducing more remote monitoring and, where possible, using drones to survey potential faults.

Working smarter and using technology can help

FACT: Our Control Transformation programme will help us better manage day-to-day train running. For example, co-location of some of our control colleagues with Network Rail’s signallers at Upminster will improve the speed of decision making and communication.

Freight and assets are not our responsibility, so there’s nothing we can do

FICTION: We are working with Network Rail on an 81-point plan addressing many of the issues. At ARL, we are looking at how we can turn around services as efficiently as possible at their destination, particularly at Stratford. We have also introduced more resources at Willesden Junction to help turn trains around quicker during service recovery and drivers now can use Network Rail’s toilet facilities at Clapham Junction.We’ve also introduced thermal imaging technology on some of our class 378 trains to help detect potential track faults before they happen.