Railtrack plc

Railtrack wants to work with government to increase rail usage Select Committee told
_______________________________________________________________

date 26 November 1997
source Railtrack plc
type Press release

Railtrack has told a Transport Sub-Committee of the Environment Select Committee today that it wants to work with Government on a common agenda to increase rail usage.

Chairman Sir Robert Horton, in his introductory remarks, said Railtrack welcomed the proposals for a Strategic Rail Authority.

"We hope," he told the committee, "that this will be accompanied by a period of institutional stability, along with freedom under the regulatory regime to innovate and grow the business while receiving support from Government to ensure a level playing field with other modes."

Sir Robert also told the committee that railways were the "mode for the future" and offered enormous potential "which we will maximise."

The service was improving, he said, with passenger numbers up eight per cent, freight volumes up four per cent and overall delays reduced by 38 per cent.

The investment programme had increased by 38 per cent over the past six months and future highlights included the station regeneration programme which would see work at nearly all 2,500 stations, the upgrading of the West Coast Main Line, a £40 million station security programme, better information for passengers with the timetable on the internet and increased capacity for freight on key routes.

Besides Sir Robert, the Railtrack delegation included Chief Executive Gerald Corbett, Director of Engineering and Production Brian Mellitt and Commercial Director Richard Middleton.

Railhub Archive ::: 1997-11-26 RTK-001