Transport secretary Alistair Darling has unveiled the railways White Paper and is to consider giving London mayor Ken Livingstone more power over the capital’s rail facilities.
Darling told MPs that he would immediately examine how Transport for London, which is controlled by the mayor, could have a bigger role in those rail services that only operate in London.
He said: “We will work to identify options for giving the mayor an increased role for services that lie for the most part within the Greater London Authority boundary.”
The railways White Paper, The Future of Rail, sets out the conclusion of the rail review announced by Darling in January 2004.
Under the new arrangements, the government will set the level of public expenditure for the railways, and take the strategic decisions on what this should buy.
The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) will be wound up, with its strategic responsibilities and financial obligations passing to the transport secretary.
There will continue to be an independent economic regulator. New regulatory and contractual arrangements will be put in place between Network Rail and the government, to run alongside, and provide the context for, the franchise contracts with train companies.
Network Rail will be given a strengthened role as operator of the network, with overall responsibility for its performance. The government will set out what Network Rail is expected to deliver, with Network Rail leading industry planning, setting timetables and directing service recovery.
The roles and responsibilities of each part of the industry will be clarified through local agreements, and their incentives brought into line with one another. The number of franchises will be reduced and they will be aligned more closely with Network Rail’s regional structure.
The devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales will take on increased responsibilities for passenger services and infrastructure.
In England, the Passenger Transport Authorities, which manage transport provision in some of the main metropolitan areas, will be able to buy additional services, and to transfer funding between rail and other transport modes.
The government will promote the role of Community Rail Partnerships in improving the management of local branch lines.
Responsibility for railway safety regulation will pass from the Health & Safety Executive to the Office of Rail Regulation, and will remain independent of government and the industry.
The government claims that: “Freight operators will be given greater certainty about their rights on the national network, and a group of key routes will be identified on which freight will enjoy and pay for more assured rights of access.”
References: EGi News 15/07/04
