Fears over rail funding cuts

RAIL funding cuts will increase the risk of serious train crashes, trade unions have claimed.

A report by the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) says Network Rail plans to slash its annual expenditure by £100 million, mainly through the loss of 2,500 maintenance jobs.

The union organisation believes it is “impossible” to make such cuts without losing “safety-critical jobs”.

It also warned that train timetables will be reduced as the Treasury has ordered the Department for

Transport (DFT) to bring down its annual budget by 10 per cent.

The TUC’S report said: “These cuts threaten essential services and maintenance, and increase the risk of the types of accidents that marked the first decades of privatised rail.”

A DFT spokesperson said: “Safety remains a top priority for all parties including Government and employers. The industry is exploring a range of reform options but none of these should lead to the reduction of safety standards.”