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“There is not a magic team down the corridor waiting to step in and make this work better.” CHRIS GRAYLING Transport Secretary reveals in a Commons Written Reply why the Northern and TransPennine Express franchises will not be handed back.

“This targeted [RMT strike] action disrupts our customers’ lives. But, as we enter a vital period for businesses, it also damages the economic wellbeing of the north of England.” DAVID BROWN Managing Director at Northern calls for the RMT union to suspend “damaging” December strike action

“The performance of rail in the UK is the best in Europe. Go to Germany, Poland, wherever, and you will not find such punctuality and reliability anywhere else.” HANS-GEORG WERNER DB Cargo UK Chief Executive believes criticism of UK rail is unfounded. (See pages 72-75).

“I, and all of us at Network Rail, are really sorry for this morning’s engineering overrun.” SIR PETER HENDY CBE Network Rail Chairman apologises after track work wrecked a South Western Railway morning peak.

“The time is right for Network Rail to not only be one of the safest railways in Europe, but the greenest, too, by valuing nature and providing a railway for people and wildlife.” JOHN VARLEY Chairman of the review into NR’s vegetation management launches his report on November 28.