Rail Network Given Efficiency Targets

Britain's rail network has been informed it must increase the efficiency of its trains under a five-year plan laid down by rail regulators.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) also told Network Rail (NR) to cut £2.4 billion from its spending plans for the period 2009-14.

NR was told by the regulator it needs to cater for more freight and passengers, as well as delivering major projects like Thameslink. The rail infrastructure company said it required £29.1bn for the improvements, but the ORR ruled £26.7bn was sufficient - 8% less than NR said it requires.

NR are also required to improve the network in terms of reliability and levels of disruption, with a 20% reduction in late and cancelled trains and improvement in safety. Currently, train punctuality runs at roughly 90% of trains operating on time.

Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon yesterday announced a programme of works to "ensure we make the best use of our national transport networks and accelerate the process of identifying where future expansion is needed".

The ORR's decision has been described as "challenging" by Paul Plummer, Network Rail's Director of Planning and Regulation.

Mr Plummer said: "Continued high levels of investment in our railway network are to be welcomed but we must be sure that these clearly challenging targets and levels of investment set out today by the ORR are both achievable and adequate to meet the growing demands being placed on our railway.

"We will now take away today's determination and carefully study and consider the implications it will have on both passengers and freight users and on the industry as a whole."

He added: "We must satisfy ourselves that what is proposed can be delivered and that it will be enough to solve the issues of capacity and deliver the much needed investment we need to build a bigger, better railway."

A number of major railway projects have been given the go-ahead by the rail regulators.

These include the Thameslink route that connects north and south London, a new line to Glasgow airport and the rebuilding of Birmingham New Street station.

(JM)