RAILWAYS ‘ARE SAFE’

#Paul Routledge’s “ages of the train” article (Mirror, Dec 29) misrepresents what has actually happened to our railways over the last 20 years.

Jobs have not been cut and safety standards are not lower.

Train firms employ 47% more people than 20 years ago.

We have one of the safest major railways in Europe with no fatal accidents in a decade – a record of which this country’s rail workers should be proud.

Back in 1997, £2billion of public money was needed just to keep the railway running, but after two decades of growth the network now covers its day-to-day costs, freeing up public money to invest in a bigger, better network.

Under Virgin East Coast, the operator has made 30% more payments to the Government than when it was run by the state.

The industry has acknowledged the need to improve and has set out a long-term plan to do so.

This plan will secure £85bn of additional economic benefits, better connect communities, improve journeys and help deliver the brighter future for the country that Mr Routledge describes.