Even if the long-awaited review of the railways from Keith Williams were to be published today it would still be a year behind schedule. As it is, the latest twist appears to be that, behind closed doors, the Treasury has kicked an interim initiative from the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps – apparently based on one of Mr Williams’ key recommendations – into the long grass for an indefinite period. Coronavirus has been blamed for the further delay.
According to the Sunday Telegraph (ST), Keith Williams’ findings will now form the basis of a White Paper on the railways that “will be published when the course of the pandemic becomes clearer.”
Frustration doesn’t even begin to cover the situation. We know that passenger trains have been running virtually empty for months – hence the demise of the franchise system for regional operators who have been suffering unsustainable losses. We also know from first-hand experience that Network Rail’s Control Period mechanism for spending on rail infrastructure has not worked properly for years. Whether you are talking about the trains themselves or the tracks and systems on which they run, the whole structure is a mess that urgently needs sorting out.
It would appear – again we are forced to rely on the ST for the information – that the Business Secretary was on the verge of announcing a new independent body to take day-to-day responsibility for running the railways and for introducing “sweeping changes” to the system.
We are left to speculate as why the Treasury has stepped in to delay this much-needed reform, although money is certain to be part of the equation. Politically, I can appreciate that the financial burden should not fall disproportionately on to the shoulders of the taxpayer. However, you should not allow a blip – for that is what COVID-19 is – to halt essential progress. This is an opportunity for investment, not for sitting on hands. Our European neighbours will not be holding back and neither will nations like China.
We will need an efficient railway system to stimulate the economy when the much-vaunted recovery comes next year and to equip us for a post-Brexit era that offers so much promise. Where I do agree with the Treasury’s reported stance is that, given its track record, Network Rail should not be given additional responsibility until it can demonstrate its own efficacy.
#SouthWestRailImprovements #HS2 #KeithWilliams
By Angus Dent – Chairman of RSP