scope:

This business process describes the key principles, activities, timescales, and associated work plan information necessary when planning the engineering access and resources.

It includes the planning of engineering trains and on-track machines for maintenance, renewal and enhancement activity but not the timetabling of these. It does not include the planning and timing of WTT (Working Timetable) and amended train services for Network Rail's passenger and freight customers.

This business process does not mandate the detail of how work, engineering access, and resource plans are developed within Network Rail functions. Route Operations (RO), Route Services Supply Chain Operations (SCO), Asset Management Renewals (AMR) and Infrastructure Projects (IP) each have their own detailed planning standards and / or functional procedures, compatible with the timescale and quality requirements contained in this business process.

This business process applies to:

a) RO; b) AMR;

c) Capacity Planning;

d) IP;

e) the Principal Contractor Supply Chain;

f) SCO; and

g) all other contractors working on behalf of each Network Rail function when planning engineering access on the railway infrastructure.

Maintenance activities are included within Route Operations in this business process.

Purpose

This business process defines the business planning process that enables engineering access to Network Rail Managed Infrastructure to undertake inspection, maintenance, renewal and enhancement of the network in compliance with the Network Code and with the objective of controlling the safety and business risks associated with arrangements for engineering access.