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Railhub Archive
2000-11-30 DET-001
Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions0
Rail recovery action group - John Prescott
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   Rail recovery action group - John Prescott
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type Press release
The Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott today charged Minister for Transport Lord Macdonald with heading up a rail recovery action group to oversee the industry''s efforts in returning the rail network to normal service.
John Prescott said:
''Passengers are becoming increasingly fed up at what they see as continuing and unnecessary delays in getting the rail network back up to speed. Railtrack, the train operators and Government have got to work together to tackle this. That is why I have asked Gus Macdonald to head up a special rail action group to maintain regular contact with the industry and ensure they are totally focused on the issue day to day.''
The group will consist of senior representatives from Railtrack, the Association of Train Operating Companies, the Rail Passenger Council, the Health and Safety Executive, the Office of the Rail Regulator and the shadow Strategic Rail Authority.
The key tasks of the group will be:
* to work closely with Railtrack and the train companies in resuming normal service as quickly as possible, while keeping risks as low as reasonably practicable;
* to keep the public and Ministers fully informed on progress of the recovery plan;
* to help trouble-shoot any unresolved issues delaying full recovery.
This will complement the medium term work being undertaken by the sSRA, firstly, in its working groups to examine contractual and structural issues in the industry, and secondly, on its strategic plan to be published early in the new year. Following a meeting this afternoon with Railtrack and the sSRA, John Prescott added:
''I am pleased to say that our meeting with Railtrack today was very constructive. They are now in discussions with the Health and Safety Executive regarding the possibility of lifting a number of the current speed restrictions and the terms under which this might happen.''
Press Enquiries: 020 7944 3108; out of hours: 020 7944 5925 / 5945; E-mail: press@detr.gov.uk Public Enquiries: 020 7944 3000; E-mail contacts: www.detr.gov.uk/email.htm DETR website - http://www.detr.gov.uk
Railhub Archive ::: 2000-11-30 DET-001
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