News Berkeley criticises safety reporting by Peter Brown


Freight on Britain’s railway network faces an uncertain future, according to Lord Tony Berkeley. The chairman of the Rail Freight Group (RFG)


has launched a three-pronged attack: accusing Network Rail of deliberately omitting safety figures to protect bonuses; criticising the lack of freight terminals; and flagging up the possibility of being controlled by passenger train operating companies.


Choosing the London 2012 Olympic media


day at Stratford on Friday 3 September to launch his tirade, Berkeley emphasised that there was a chance of yet more growth for rail freight in the UK, but said the operators were facing many obstacles not of their own making.


Berkeley told his audience of journalists that


the uncertainty was damaging the industry. He ‘We have a problem with terminals that may get closed. We have to talk to the politicians, because if we don’t have terminals we don’t have trains. It’s like having passenger trains without stations. 'If we don’t get the right solutions then we’re not going to get what we want. We have to deal with the culture of the Nimbys who don’t want a terminal anywhere near where they live. The south east is particularly bad.’


Next he turned his attention to Network


Rail – of which he is a member – accusing the organisation of not being honest about accident and safety figures. He said: ‘We’ve caught them underestimating


the reporting of accident statistics. It’s very worrying as it’s all about affecting their bonuses.’ In late July, the RFG issued a statement which


said: ‘NR suggested that the under reporting was down to one local manager, but the evidence was otherwise, with likely under reporting of some 2,500 minor injuries in 2009-10, using the standard ratio of major to minor injuries. ‘The worry, of course, is that this was a


consistent policy encouraged or “allowed” across the company because fewer accident reports meant bigger bonuses.’ At Stratford, Lord Berkeley’s third issue was


about the possible changes to be announced by the government in the autumn. This includes matters of railway structure, costs and passenger franchises, with a likely 25 per cent saving of the £4bn it contributes each year, mostly to passenger services and Network Rail. He said: ‘One option causing RFG concern is that the Department for Transport is seriously considering ripping up the infrastructure manager and allowing the incumbent passenger operators


Cambridge platform plans submitted


Network Rail has submitted plans for a new island platform at Cambridge station, complete with a new footbridge and lifts. The scheme is part of a plan


to upgrade the King’s Cross to Cambridge and West Anglia routes, which will see additional trains introduced. The current track layout at the station is constrained, particularly during peak hours. The West Anglia line between


Cambridge and London Liverpool Street will be running 12-car trains by December 2011. Platforms are also being extended at Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Sawbridgeworth and Stansted Mountfitchet, with extensions at Stansted Airport funded by BAA. Twelve-car trains have already


begun running on First Capital Connect’s route into King’s Cross, following platform extensions at Cambridge and Royston.


C2C’s punctuality improves again


Perri Shakes-Drayton, the reigning national 400 metre hurdle champion, was a guest at celebrations held by C2C at Fenchurch Street to mark its consecutive record-breaking year. C2C has set a new punctuality record of 98.2 per cent for the four weeks ending Saturday 21 August. The celebrations took place


on Thursday 9 September, the operator in buoyant mood having smashed its previous record by one per cent. Managing director Julian Drury said Olympic hopeful Perri represented the local community, having been born and bred in the area. ‘Like Perri we have


focused on beating our previous records. We have held first place for two years while continually setting new standards for UK train punctuality and we are determined to keep on improving.’


to run the network. Having the passenger companies do it would be an absolute disaster.’ Responding to allegations of under reporting


accidents, a Network Rail spokeswoman said: ‘Safety for passengers and everyone who works on the railway is a top priority – not just for Network Rail but for the whole industry. We will never be complacent and any worker incident is one too many. ‘We remain focused on mitigating risk where we can and fully address these concerns.'


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