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Wednesday 20 Jul 2005

NETWORK RAIL RESPONDS TO NAO REPORT “IMPROVING BRITAIN’S RAILWAY STATIONS”

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National

A report by the National Audit Office about passenger satisfaction with Britain’s railway stations, was welcomed by Network Rail today. John Armitt, Network Rail’s Chief Executive, said: “We are pleased that this report notes the excellent facilities at the stations Network Rail manages.  We are working with our industry partners to improve facilities at the other stations even further, and are currently consulting on ways in which the procedures for improvements could be simplified and therefore speeded up.” Network Rail has been consulting on ways to simplify procedures for improvements proposed and funded by third parties, and how the risks might be better allocated and shared between parties. The company has also suggested the establishment of an Industry Risk Fund to compensate project promoters and funders for risks associated with operational and safety critical events, changes in legislation and capping liability for small schemes. These proposals were set out in an ORR consultation, which was published in February 2005. Network Rail has also developed a strategy to invite developers, investors, property owners and consortia to bid for all development opportunities, working with the company to re-invest in identified station improvements.