Improvement works paused and other rail updates: Transport Focus response

25 June 2015

Today the Secretary of State for Transport announced a number of changes to Network Rail and its work to deliver improvements for passengers.

He confirmed that, while improvement works on the Great Western mainline will continue, he has paused the electrification programme on the Midland Mainline and TransPennine route.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said:
“Passengers will be disappointed by this announcement, which follows years of above-inflation fares increases, crowded carriages and engineering works. Long-term plans and investment are important and welcome, and passengers have put up with much inconvenience in the expectation of a better, more reliable, and more comfortable rail service. What passengers will want now is a clear plan of action, setting out exactly when Network Rail will start to deliver some of the promised improvements. They want to know that somebody is getting to grips with this.”