Policy
to create and sell more capacity, in particular where this can be achieved at no cost.
Providing capacity to allow operators
to run existing and new services is fundamental to Network Rail’s role in the industry and it should prioritise the improvement of the processes which enable it to perform this task.
Franchising and competition The franchising policy adopted by the DfT has a significant impact on the level of competition on rail and in the market. This is the case for competition between all types of operator including between franchise operators. The creation of large regional operator monopolies has not maximised the growth of rail revenue through the provision of an improved and more attractive customer service proposition. See National Passenger Satisfaction statistics – Spring 2013.
Boosting the franchise premium and railway infrastructure These services have operated without any negative impact on the incumbent franchise operators or impact on premium payments to government.
Indeed, on the contrary, official statistics show that the premium paid to government by East Coast has increased year-on-year, though facing increased open access competition. The evidence available shows that this
has occurred as a result of faster growth in overall passenger numbers at locations where competition takes place between the franchise holder and open access operators.
Also, for many northern centres
served by open access operators private finance has been successfully raised to significantly improve railway infrastructure, such as the material improvements proposed at Wakefield Kirkgate station, where significant private funds have been raised, and also at Eaglescliffe station in County Durham. Both stations are served by open access operators and have consequently seen a significant increase in footfall and patronage. Both facilities had fallen into disrepair in the pre-open access period (particularly Kirkgate) which was condemned in 2009 by former Transport Secretary Lord Adonis in a letter to the then Network Rail chairman, as ‘probably the worst medium large station I have seen in Britain.’2
Key decision eagerly awaited Regrettably the consultation does not provide a detailed breakdown of when the ORR expects to take its plans forward to deliver new policies to enhance on- rail competition on Britain’s railways. This must be clarified in the final report following this consultation. But there is a key decision which the Centre for Policy Studies and many MPs are eagerly awaiting – the decision to award paths for new open access services on the WCML, expected later this year. A positive determination will tally with the ORR’s clear support for the positive role open access operators can play on the modern rail network.
•
Tony Lodge is author of Rail’s Second Chance – putting competition back on track by the Centre for Policy Studies.
www.cps.org.uk
1
http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/ research/publications/national-passenger- survey-spring-2013-nps-main-report
2
http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/ local-news/lord-adonis-criticises-network- rail-in-letter-about-state-of-wakefield- kirkgate-1-971896
For all your engineering and signalling needs. • Product approved signalling switch gear SafeBox • Mimic panels • FSPs • Fully wired location cases • Fully wired REB's • Control panels • DNO's, points and switch heating
Where simple works...
• Fishplates • Treadles
It takes 130 years experience to make the solution, appear simple.
+44 (0) 1325 462722 :
Info@hwilliams.co.uk
www.hwilliams.co.uk October 2013 Page 75
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140