Media centre

Friday 1 Dec 2006

EDDINGTON’S ON THE RIGHT TRACK SAYS NETWORK RAIL

Region & Route:

National

Network Rail welcomes the report by Rod Eddington, which prioritises the development of inter-urban commuting and inter-city travel – both of which are best done by rail. Chief Executive, John Armitt, said: “We have already predicted a 30% growth in passenger numbers over the next 10 years.  The road pricing suggested in the Eddington report will only increase the numbers of people choosing rail – and we are ambitious to grow the rail network to accommodate them. “We believe there is a compelling case for increasing capacity on the rail network – longer trains and platforms, more trains, more tracks or easing bottlenecks.  Eddington rightly proposes that each mode of transport pays for its own environmental impact in full.  This would inevitably lead to higher costs for road and air – and therefore further strengthens the case for investment in the growth of the rail network.”  Network Rail is also pleased to note the potential boost for the rail freight industry, which could come from a combination of the development of international gateways – one of Eddington’s three key themes.  Network Rail’s draft freight strategy, published in September this year predicted a 30% growth in freight over the next 10 years, a figure that may accelerate if the Eddington proposals are implemented. Network Rail has previously outlined in its funding submission for the five-year period 2009 to 2014 a strategy to deal with the forecast demand on Britain’s rail.  While the company has reduced the cost of operating and maintaining the rail network by 25% since 2004, and requires less money in real terms in the future to do its ‘day job’, it has identified almost £8bn of improvement projects that would grow the network to accommodate predicted passenger and freight growth.  These include:

• Thameslink Programme
• Waterloo redevelopment
• Birmingham New Street
• Southampton to West Coast freight upgrade
• North London Line capacity enhancements
• Airdrie-Bathgate line reinstatement between Edinburgh and Glasgow
• Edinburgh and Glasgow airport rail links

John Armitt said: “We agree with the conclusion in the Eddington report that everything must be done to maximise the use of the existing network.  But the report also acknowledges that increased capacity is what is needed in the long term – and big rail projects have lengthy lead-in times.  Now is the time to plan and fund improvements that will secure an effective and efficient railway for all its users in the future.” Network Rail is also pleased by the proposal that each mode of transport should pay its own environmental cost – as rail already has a significant advantage in terms of being greener and more energy efficient than road or air transport.  And, this advantage is set to increase as Network Rail works with the industry to introduce even more lightweight, energy efficient trains.  The company is also working to introduce regenerative braking across the rail network – a technology that allows power from a braking train to be returned to the grid. John Armitt said: “We look forward to working with the Government, as it considers all the conclusions and recommendations in the report and works towards developing sustainable transport solutions in the UK.”