Currie & Brown · Rail · Client-side cost assurance · Network Rail
East Coast Main Line digital signalling
Getting a £1.5bn business case for digital signalling ready for government approval
The project
The East Coast Digital Programme is replacing traditional lineside signals on the southern East Coast Main Line with in-cab digital signalling (ETCS Level 2), over roughly 100 miles between London King’s Cross and Stoke Junction, south of Grantham. It is designed to make services more reliable, greener and better able to recover from disruption, and sets the pattern for digital signalling on other main lines.
The challenge
Before the programme could move into full delivery, Network Rail needed government approval of its Full Business Case. The cost case had to stand up to the highest level of scrutiny, Level 3 assurance, with consistent figures from many stakeholders across Network Rail’s Digital Rail, Telecoms and Signalling teams.
What we did
Working client-side for Network Rail as part of the Currie & Brown team, we provided cost assurance across Digital Rail, Telecoms and Signalling within Route Services. We worked with stakeholders across Network Rail to test and assure the estimates behind the £1.5bn Full Business Case, so it could achieve Level 3 assurance, and supported it through approval and submission to HM Treasury.
The outcome
All assurance activities were completed to Network Rail’s satisfaction. The government approved the Full Business Case in 2022, unlocking over £1bn of further investment in digital signalling on the East Coast Main Line, and the programme is now being delivered.
Services we provided
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