Introduction
This paper is intended to provide an initial insight into Network Rail’s approach to the broader issues surrounding the possible impacts of climate change on the railway infrastructure with particular reference to the
Hampshire district.
Asset maintenance
Network Rail maintains asset registers and GISs for the day to day maintenance of railway structures, including earthworks (embankments and cuttings), drainage and defences along the coastline, estuaries and rivers. g/ewks/climate change/Hampshire Inquiry 15/04/2020gpb

These registers are updated by routine examinations which guide the rolling programme for maintenance and renewal according to the structure condition determined by the examinations.
These activities are focused on maintaining the infrastructure for the safe, punctual and cost efficient operation of the network for the near to medium term.
For the longer term, including impacts of climate change, policies are being developed to;
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Adapt assets such that they become more resilient to climate change.
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Do this normally when renewals fall due.
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Pay particular attention to drainage assets.
Impact of Climate Change
The UKCIP02 is relatively confident in predicting increased precipitation, in more focused heavy rainfall events, increasing temperatures and rising sea levels. Most other weather conditions are less well predicted. Clearly this brings the potential for more flooding, earth slips and accelerated coastal erosion. Heat-related problems, such as overheating equipment and track serviceability issues, can be mitigated economically by engineering out at the renewals stage.
Network Rail promotes research into the impact of climate change through its involvement in the various infrastructure research programmes, eg BIONICS, and through membership of infrastructure maintenance groups, such as the
UK Coastal Groups, and actively participates in regional and national technical meetings, conferences and congresses, such as the recent
International Conference on Landslides and Climate Change at Ventnor, Isle of Wight.
Conclusions
Network Rail maintains a ‘watching brief’ on climate science and its influence on national bodies in climate research. Monitoring is a key element of asset maintenance and the possible impacts of climate change are considered so that asset resilience can be improved when renewals become due. g/ewks/climate change/Hampshire Inquiry 15/04/2020gpb