Rail privatisation plans criticised for lack of detail
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.TOO MANY issues have been left unresolved by the Government's proposals for rail privatisation, and the timetable for its introduction has failed to allow sufficient debate, the Conservative-dominated Commons Select Committee on Transport said yesterday, writes Christian Wolmar.
Its report says that the implementation of the forthcoming Bill 'may have unforeseen consequences because of the absence of full details or sufficient time for an informed public debate'. It found that while many witnesses were sympathetic to the idea of greater private-sector involvement in railway services, 'few endorsed the Government's specific proposals'.
The MPs' concern covered fundamental issues such as whether it was sensible to separate the management and train operations and the track 'via the creation of a new body (Railtrack) which has no apparent incentive to act efficiently'. They also expressed concern about the gap in orders in the railway supply industry because of the current loss of revenue and cuts in government grant.
The controversy within Tory ranks over the report, which the Conservative chairman, Robert Adley, said had been agreed unanimously, continued yesterday. Three Tory members of the committee tried to dissociate themselves from it and one, Matthew Banks, issued a press release saying it was 'out of date'. He accused Mr Adley of producing a 'badly slanted' draft report and said: 'To say the report was a compromise is an understatement.'
Mr Adley defended it and, earlier, told the Press Association: 'Ministers get more and more pig-headed as their proposals come under more detailed scrutiny. They did it with the poll tax. I hope they do not do it with the future of the railways.'
No free rides, page 27
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments