PRESS RELEASE

Labour rail reforms could get us back on track

Transport Action Network (TAN) is broadly welcoming Labour’s announcements yesterday about rail reform and better integration with other transport modes [1].

Chris Todd, director of Transport Action Network (TAN) said:

“These proposed reforms are a major step in the right direction. For far too long rail passengers have been left abandoned in the sidings. Even the current Government recognised there were issues, but its plans have faced more cancellations and delays than a Northern passenger. In many instances, it has made things worse, cutting services and failing to simplify ticketing.

“The establishment of a powerful passenger champion would help drive change. But it poses wider questions about the future of the remains of the Office for Rail and Road.

“Ambitious targets for modal shift should have been part of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, so we warmly welcome Labour’s commitment here. Putting this into practice will require changing other policies, not least the National Networks National Policy Statement, which in its current form would undermine Labour’s commitments.

“Critical to all of this of course will be funding. Shifting people and freight to rail will require shifting funding from the failing roads programme to a bold rail enhancement pipeline. Getting rail’s future back is essential to unlock homes in the right places, run transport on clean British energy and spread opportunity to all.”

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Notes to Editors:
[1] Labour’s policy document titled Get Britain Moving: Labour’s plan to fix Britain’s railways, was published on Thursday, 25 April, 2024