The privatisation of the rail network has failed and the system is in a "mess". Users of the system look back fondly on the state-owned British Rail which, at the time, was accused of a lack of vision and inability to invest, a report by the Rail Passengers' Council said.

Forum Response: Construction Products Association

Chris Bennett, external affairs executive at the Construction Products Association told ePolitix.com: "The Association shares the Rail Passengers' Council's view that improvements to rail services should focus on outputs.

"The current PSA targets do not satisfactorily address the outputs which really matter. They currently report the increasing numbers of passengers on the trains but do not satisfactorily measure the physical condition of the rail network and the delivery of improvements to the network's capacity and reliability.

"We support the RPC's calls for a 'rail improvement unit' to monitor progress and encourage innovation.  Our report, Achievable Targets, has also called on the government to set itself in the forthcoming roll-forward of the ten year transport plan and spending review, new physical infrastructure targets which will allow stakeholders to measure the improvements that have been delivered." 

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Graeme Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, said:"The Institute of Directors has long argued that parts of the rail system, post privatisation, were too fragmented. However, this does not amount to a case for re-nationalisation. The privatisation process was far from perfect but a return to state ownership would ultimately be far worse."

Forum Response: Association of Train Operating Companies

George Muir,  ATOC director general
said:"Train operators welcome the broad thrust of Network Rail's Business Plan for 2004 - the strong investment programme making every penny count; the big and sustained increase in track renewals; and the commitment of its management team and staff in tackling the backlog of renewals built up over the past 12 years.

"While we're pleased with the objective of delivering pre-Hatfield levels of punctuality by 2006, we want to see even higher levels consistently achieved and on a sustained basis.  It's what the passengers want and deserve.  Train operators will work together with Network Rail to achieve this."