'COLLABORATION' is to be the theme of a series of Platform presentations and debates staged by Railnews in conjunction with Rail Champions at Infrarail this year.

The presentations will be made following Network Rail's recent commitment to transparency, which has been accompanied by a new Fair Payment Charter.

There will be four sessions during the exhibition from 1 to 3 May, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

The first presentation, on 1 May, will consider the benefits in collaborative arrangements and what is involved in BS 11000 accreditation.

Sessions on 2 May will examine how the proposed HS2 Interchange station serving the NEC and Birmingham Airport could be planned, developed and operated.

On 3 May, the final presentation – in conjunction with the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering – will look at the future skills and training requirements necessary to provide and maintain new and improving infrastructure on the growing rail network.

Simon Kirby, who is Network Rail managing director for infrastructure projects, told Railnews that the industry is changing, and so is the company.

He said: “As part of the devolution to standalone business units for each route, and alongside capital investment of £3.5 billion a year, we're going to set up a Project Business Unit. There will be transparency on both sides, as well as the Fair Payment Charter.

“But the bigger issue is how we collaborate more efficiently with suppliers, and engage them earlier in the process of developing projects. We are signing up to seven-year deals, in which the suppliers are incentivised to reduce their costs and deliver safely alongside us. It's all about aligning objectives. They will have a bigger impact on the planning and timing of work.”

The industry group Rail Champions was founded by Chris Williams-Lilley in 2009 to promote research, collaboration, technology transfer and knowledge exchange between science, government and industry.