Melfords Long Journey With Network Rail

Network Rail own, repair and develop 20,000 miles of rail track and 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts on the railway infrastructure in England, Scotland and Wales. They also manage 20 of the country’s largest stations and exist solely to get people and goods where they need to be.

Their commitment to run safe, reliable and efficient railways that put passengers first at the same time as ensuring rail remains the greenest form of public transport, has sent Network Rail on a journey of it’s own; one of significant change.

Recognizing that train performance hasn’t been good enough recently, Network Rail has implemented a series of control periods to drive change across the whole business. At the centre of their plans is putting the needs of passengers first. The latest Control Period 6 (CP6) sets to develop existing infrastructure to drive efficiency with focus on the people they serve.​

Melford Technologies have a long-standing relationship with Network Rail spanning some 20 years. During that time, they have supplied a number of products to support passenger safety, passenger information and general rail operations including CCTV and safety solutions for:

• Driver only operated trains

• Public awareness monitors

• Control rooms

• E-Paper - mobile and fixed displays for customer information systems

In addition to that, Melford have worked closely with Network Rail to develop bespoke solutions designed to meet their specific needs and overcome some of their most complex technical challenges. Owning the product design and manufacturing processes of these bespoke solutions, gives Network Rail peace of mind knowing that Melford control and manage all hardware and component production for the duration of the product life cycle.

"Being the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for many of the products we supply makes us unique. It means we have complete control. Some of the hardware used in Network Rails driver only operated trains were installed 15 years ago but being the OEM means we’re able to overcome supply chain issues that other vendors face as a result of global market influences like Covid 19 and electronic component shortages. This is one of the things Network Rail value the most." - Steve Osborne, Managing Director, Melford Technologies

It’s therefore no surprise that Melford are playing a key part in the infrastructure developments specified in CP6 plans. As part of those plans - that run until 2024 - Melford will continue to support legacy hardware solutions already installed across the UK, managing them through to end of life (where relevant) and ensuring existing hardware remains fit for purpose.

Melford are also working with Network Rail to develop new solutions that support their vision to deliver the best possible service to their passengers and freight customers. Technology remains at the forefront of providing a safe and secure transport network that is easy to navigate, efficient and dependable. ​ As well as improving the lives of millions every day, rail has a vital role to play in supporting sustainable economic recovery and growth while also helping Government to meet ambitious zero-carbon targets. Melford continue to work with Network Rail to provide solutions that support ‘green’ railways that are resilient to climate change, and able to provide an excellent service for years to come.

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