PM approves UK’s second rail inquiry in five years

MINISTERS plan to conduct another review of the railways following months of chaos for Britain’s commuters, it emerged last night.

The Government wants to get on the front foot after Labour accused it of presiding over a ‘broken’ franchising system and public anger over rising fares and a surge in delays and cancellations.

It was also humiliated by the collapse of the East Coast main line, which had to be taken into public hands.

The plan to launch a consultation into rail franchising was approved by Theresa May yesterday, the Financial Times reported – a day after Labour revealed the number of cancelled or badly delayed trains was up by half in eight years.

The Government has faced a backlash over a 3.2 per cent rise next January to many fares, including season tickets.

The review, which needs Treasury approval, would be the second in five years, and could lead to a rethink on fares.

The Government-commissioned Brown Review concluded that the franchise system was ‘not fundamentally flawed’.

But the collapse of the East Coast franchise for the third time in 12 years persuaded officials to re-assess the process.

Labour’s transport spokesman Andy McDonald said rail franchises should be renationalised, adding: ‘No amount of tinkering will change the fact that rail franchising has failed, does not deliver and never will.’

The Department of Transport said: ‘We are committed to improving journeys and are always examining ways to improve how the railway serves passengers.’