News
Welcome to the latest news for the rail industry in Derby and Derbyshire area.
NEW FACES AT THE DfT
The Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, member for Ashfield, replaces Ruth Kelly as Secretary of State for Transport with overall responsibility for policy and strategy. Andrew (Lord) Adonis is the new Minister of State for Transport with responsibilities for national road & rail networks, environment and climate change, cleaner fuels and Crossrail. The Hon Paul Clark MP, member for Gillingham and Rainham, has been appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport with responsibilities for city and regional networks, local authority transport, buses/cycling/walking, light rail, accessibility and TWA orders.
WIRING THE MML
In response to the Leics South MP, Peter Soulsby, the new Transport Secretary, Geoff Hoon, has said he is enthusiastic about the prospect of electrifying the Midland main line. Mr Hoon said: “I take a close and deep personal interest in MML as a regular user of that line and I certainly share my predecessor’s enthusiasm for electrification. It is something the Department will be looking at very closely”. – Railway Herald
WARNING ON OVERCROWDING
Overcrowding on Britain's strained rail network is likely to get worse in the future unless substantial investment is made, new research warns. In a report on the state of railways in England and Wales, the National Audit Office (NAO) warns that the network must be expanded in order to tackle overcrowding and reduce pressure on capacity in the future. Some fares rose by as much as 20 per cent in 2007 and the NAO has expressed concern about steep ticket prices in the face of widespread overcrowding. However, the study states that government control of the railways since 2005 has provided taxpayers with a better return and the current franchise system is working effectively. – Adfero online news service
REGIONAL TRANSPORT FUNDING
Government funding for large projects, including transport, in the English Regions for 2009-2012 is currently being determined. This process, known as Regional Funding Allocation (RFA), also includes aspirations up to 2019. Regions have to put forward their wish lists in February 2009. Compared to previous funding processes this one has significant changes, the most important one for rail campaigners being that rail schemes can now be included (only road schemes were considered in previous funding rounds). The funding can only be for capital spending; so if a rail scheme, such as a reopening, would need revenue support this would have to come from other sources. Projects need to be well thought out and take into account CO2 and climate change. There are plenty of councillors who will be fighting for their local road scheme as well as council officers who think that the answer to all their traffic and economic problems is to build more roads, so it is vital that the case for rail is argued. In the East Midlands region, for example, the draft list does include some rail schemes. Draft lists are not usually published by Regional Assemblies but can often be discovered by looking at committee minutes etc on the Regional Assembly and Regional Development Agency websites. There is a useful, detailed explanation of RFA on the Campaign for Better Transport website: www.bettertransport.org.uk/local_campaigning/online_guides/regional_transport_funding
30 October 2008
ORR/32/08
A £7.6 billion package of improvements on Britain's railway network is to be coupled with greater efficiency and a more accountable Network Rail - announced the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) today as it published its final determinations of its 2008 periodic review. More>
23 October 2008
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) today welcomed the publication by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) of its report into the Grayrigg incident.
Ian Prosser, director of rail safety at ORR said:
"We welcome the publication of the RAIB report, and will carefully consider the report and its recommendations. As the independent health and safety regulator for the rail network, we will ensure that appropriate action is taken forward in a timely way by the industry and ourselves."