Forum Brief: Railways

The Strategic Rail Authority has announced its latest plans for Britain's railways.

Although it contains further cutbacks on routes through key "bottlenecks", the measures are balanced by backing for a TGV-style high speed line linking London and Scotland.

Forum Response: Transport and Salaried Staff Association

Richard Rosser, general secretary of TSSA, said: "The SRA needs to get more than just a 'short-term grip' to deliver its 'long-term vision' for our railways.

"Before he can get more public money for the rail network, Richard Bowker knows he needs to get a tighter lid on the costs of these projects.

"Today's Strategic Report is recognition that, in the past, too many projects have gone way over budget. But this isn't simply down to poor management, as the SRA seems to believe.

"Costs have exploded due to the 'contractor culture' - too much contracting out, too many consultants and too much bureaucracy needed to co-ordinate the disparate parts of a once fully integrated and more unified system.

"Without bringing more infrastructure work back in-house - or at least minimising the number of players involved - Mr Bowker will be saying the same thing year after year.

"If Mr Bowker truly wants to make a 'case for rail', he should be working with the government to reintegrate our fragmented rail network. Only fundamental reform will bring the significant savings - and network upgrades - we all want to see.

"Without these changes, all the SRA's good intentions are worthless."

Forum Response: Crossrail

A spokesman for Crossrail told ePolitix.com: "Cross London Rail Links Ltd, the designer of the current Crossrail proposal, welcomes the announcement by the SRA regarding future investment in the UK's rail network.

"Crossrail has always been regarded by the government, SRA and Transport for London, as a key project for London - and as such subject to special investment and constructional parameters."Subject to secretary of state approval in the next few weeks, Crossrail will now move forward this year to seek statutory powers, and ultimately fund construction from the private sector. An extensive programme of public consultation along the preferred route is planned to follow on from the Ministerial Announcement. There is a 24 hour help desk 0845 602 3813 for enquiries.

"Crossrail remains pivotal to the economic growth of London, and the country as a whole, and will ease many of the transport headaches currently experienced in the capital."

Forum Response: Association of Train Operating Companies

George Muir, director general of ATOC, said: "Maintaining a ten year view is critical because the underlying demand for rail travel is still strong.

"This plan is encouraging, paradoxically, because while it retains the ambition, it also shows realism and a serious grasp of the difficult issues. Only in this way can we move forward.

"The next 12 months for the industry is about hard graft: improving punctuality and reducing industry costs. For the SRA, the next 12 months will be challenging, especially in delivering a clear and consistent refranchising programme."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Geraint Day, policy analyst at the IoD, told ePolitix.com: "The majority of IoD members are already sceptical about the government's plans for rail. One of the few things that seems to have moved on in the last year or so is a growing realisation that all the rhetoric about 'integrated transport' has not yet lead to real improvement."