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Railhub Archive
2001-02-01 DET-001
Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions0
The Strategic Rail Authority sheds its shadow status
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 Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
 
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   The Strategic Rail Authority sheds its shadow status
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type Press release
The rail industry will have a bright future with the Strategic Rail Authority, the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said today, as the SRA shed its shadow status.
Following the launch of the SRA Mr Prescott said:
''Today the SRA comes out of its shadow to provide strategic leadership which the rail industry has been lacking since privatisation. The SRA will bring together the whole industry and establish a new vision for Britain''s railways.
''The railway system has suffered decades of under investment and a privatisation which created a fragmented system lacking any framework - the SRA will now provide that framework. New long term franchises will secure new investment in trains and infrastructure to deliver a bigger and better railway.''
''This is the week when the railways began to get back to normal. Passengers are returning to the rail network. The industry is winning its fight-back and gaining passenger confidence with better information on services and more reliable timetables. Today over 85% of the 18,500 services a day are running normally.''
Notes to Editors
1. The SRA was set-up in shadow form in April 1999 to provide strategic planning, promote rail travel and freight transport and to foster a climate that encourages private investment in the railways.
2. The shadow SRA has been playing a leading role in the Rail Recovery Action Group which John Prescott established under the chairmanship of Lord Macdonald following the Hatfield crash. The SRA will continue to lead the industry back towards a normal service and on to making real improvements for passengers and freight customers.
3. The SRA press office can be contacted on 020 7654 6000.
Press Enquiries: 020 7944 3066; 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 ::: 2001-02-01 DET-001
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