Watchdog may ban Railtrack from selling prime sites to developers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Railtrack may be banned from making tens of millions of pounds through the sale of its land to supermarkets and other businesses anxious to buy prime sites near lines.
Railtrack may be banned from making tens of millions of pounds through the sale of its land to supermarkets and other businesses anxious to buy prime sites near lines.
The rail regulator, Tom Winsor, yesterday revealed a plan to make sure the infrastructure company cannot dispose of assets that might be needed to improve the rail system. The proposal follows considerable disquiet about the company's freedom to dispose of landconsidered to be a national asset.
Mr Winsor also proposed preventing Railtrack PLC, the group's licensed rail subsidiary, from investing in businesses unconnected with its core activity. He said: "Railtrack exercises stewardship over assets of strategic importance to the operation and future development of the network.
"Safeguards are needed to protect against the disposal of these assets, including land, which once lost to the railway industry would be prohibitively expensive to replace." He said he would be consulting on the proposals.
A Railtrack spokesman said the organisation did not think fresh limitations to its licence were necessary. "Our overriding aim when disposing of land is to maximise the benefits to the railway, either in raising money for investment or in getting like for like improvements to the station nearby.
"A good example is at Mr Winsor's local station at Staplehurst near Maidstone where the sale of land there is paying for a transport interchange, and buying us land to increase the car parking capacity."
The Office of the Rail Regulator issued a list of sites where there is concern over Railtrack sites. They include:
? Bristol City Council - Bristol Bath Road, Severn Beach line, Portishead line, Filton-Henbury-Severnside line.
? Cambridgeshire County Council - Chesterton siding, "up" side of Whittlesford station.
? Cardiff County Council - Pengam terminal, Cardiff Cathays depot, Radyr, Canton link depot, Ely paper mill site.
? Carrick District Council - Site at Richmond Road, Truro.
? Conwy County Borough Council - Llandudno junction marshalling yard and sidings.
? East Riding of Yorkshire Council - Goole station.
? West Dunbartonshire Council - Land next to Dumbarton Central Station; and
? West Lothian Council - Anytown sidings, Darwhinnie station, Kelmet halt, Bathgate, West Calder.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments