In May 2017, we commissioned an Independent Reporter, Nichols, to carry out a deliverability review of Stirling Dunblane Alloa (SDA) electrification project. The forecast cost for the works had risen considerably since the beginning of the control period and Network Rail was indicating costs were due to rise still further. Network Rail also raised serious concerns regarding the ability of the project to deliver its obligations in line with the regulated outputs and milestones and overall confidence in the programme had fallen considerably. The project was facing major challenges in securing the necessary engineering access, procuring delivery of the works and defining the scope required for electrical compliance requirements.
This report relates to control period 5 (CP5), which covers the period from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2019.