Railtalk
Reflecting on the 60 years of Modern Railways, as our anniversary year draws to a close, never has there been such a tight level of government control exerted on our railways.
In hindsight, it is likely that the Government (and more especially theTreasury) probably regrets the billions of pounds in support that were shelled out during the worst of the pandemic. But it was an unprecedented situation, and at the time keeping transport running for essential workers seemed the best thing to do.
Unfortunately, the railway is now paying the price for that. The suggestion is that theTreasury wants the railway to return to a pre-Covid level of subsidy – even though the Williams-Shapps Plan considered this level to be excessive. The result is that Train Operating Companies are being micromanaged to an extent never seen before. And while Network Rail can get on with the renewals it was loosen the shackles funded to deliver in its settlement for Control Period 5 (2019-24), enhancements are being determined and signed off on a piecemeal basis.
However, it was clear that the Chancellor’s autumn statement, due on 17 November, after we went to press, was going to be critical for the railway – and was not likely to bring good news.
