Department of Transport

Sir George rejects CRUCC scare stories – “rail investment at record levels”
_______________________________________________________________

date 31 July 1995
source Department of Transport
type Press release

note 246

Sir George Young, Secretary of State for Transport, today welcomed
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

Railhub Archive ::: 1995-07-31 DoT-001