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![]() Railhub Archive | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Department of TransportSir George rejects CRUCC scare stories – “rail investment at record levels”
the Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee's (CRUCC) annual report but described their concerns about investment and future developments as unfounded. Commenting on the report, Sir George said: "I am encouraged that the Committee has endorsed so many aspects of our policy for the railways. They have recognised the new guaranteed protection passengers will enjoy - the preservation of network benefits, the concept of Passenger Service Requirements, the regulation of rail fares. "I note the Committee's concerns about current and future investment but I firmly believe they are unfounded. This Government has presided over the biggest rail renewal programme and the highest levels of investment since the changeover from steam to diesel. Since 1979 a total of #15 billion at today's prices has been invested in the railways. "The Committee are concerned that British Rail has “only” #100 million available for investment this financial year, yet total rail investment is ten times that - around #1 billion. Most of this billion will be spent by Railtrack on rail infrastructure. Moreover, both BR and Railtrack's Chairmen have publicly expressed the view that they have sufficient resources for this year. "The Government remains fully committed to providing adequate subsidy for the railway in the future. The purpose of privatisation is to provide a new era for Britain's railways to arrest and reverse the decades of decline." Turning to the record level of complaints last year, Sir George said: "The unnecessary industrial action by the signalmen last year had a significant effect on passengers and must have contributed to the increase in complaints about rail services." Sir George also indicated that he planned to meet Major General Lennox Napier, Chairman of the CRUCC, soon to discuss the report in more detail. # = pounds sterling
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