Prime Minister set to announce rail franchising review

Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to confirm an independent review into rail franchising, following the collapse of the Virgin Trains East Coast franchise earlier this year.

A Department for Transport spokesman told RAIL: “Privatisation has helped transform our railway - doubling passenger numbers and delivering more services, extra investment and new trains.

“We are absolutely committed to improving journeys, and are always examining ways to improve how the railway serves passengers.”

However, Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald responded: “Long-suffering rail passengers don’t need a review to explain to them that the franchising system is broken beyond repair.

“I can tell the Prime Minister now that no amount of tinkering will change the fact that rail franchising has failed, does not deliver, and never will.

“What we’ve heard today just proves that this Government is blind to the best solution for improving the UK’s railway, and the one that the public backs: Labour’s policy of public ownership.”

Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council and member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, reacted to reports on September 4 of a possible review by saying: “Rail passengers in the north of England have endured the collapse of the East Coast Main Line franchise three times in the last 12 years, the letting of franchises on a no-growth basis, and in recent months the calamitous introduction of a new timetable.

“Promised improvements under the current Northern and TransPennine franchises remain unfulfilled with no timetable for when they will be delivered.”

Blake said a modern and reliable network would support the North’s economic needs, but that this could only be achieved through a fundamental overhaul of the current system.

She called for the devolution of power to local areas.