Control of East Midlands' rail network moves to Derby
Full control of the East Midlands' rail network has been moved from London to Derby.
It is part of plans to devolve Network Rail's control. A new team will take responsibility for the track and its maintenance in the East Midlands.
Martin Frobisher, the new route managing director, said local experts would now be able to target investment where is was most needed.
Network Rail hopes the devolution plans will help save up to £5bn by 2014.
"This is a significant change for the way we manage the railway," said Mr Frobisher.
"Instead of the various teams in charge of signalling, tracks, electrical supplies etc each reporting to different managers in London, I will have a team of local experts working together to deliver the very best for the East Midlands.
"Devolving responsibility to the local route teams gives us the chance to build on that success we can be more responsive to the big issues affecting the train companies and their passengers," he added.
The changes are in line with the recommendations of the McNulty report, published in May, which said savings of up to £1bn a year could be made by continued closer working between Network Rail and the train companies, Network Rail said in a statement.