Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott speaking at the National rail summit reiterated the Government's commitment to stand up for passengers and work closely with the industry to improve rail services.
" Investment is the key to the safe, modern and efficient rail service that people want. "
[Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott]
With the railway network now busier than at any time since 1946 Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Transport Minister Lord Macdonald met representatives of the rail industry today to review progress regarding safety and services.
Referring to commitments made by the industry at the last Rail Summit in February 1999, Mr Prescott said that the rail industry had gone a long way to meet these but there was still work to be done.
Improvements since the last summit included:
-
Improved punctuality despite a large increase in passenger growth;
-
New rolling stock coming into service;
-
Many new initiatives on safety; and
-
Early introduction of the Train Protection Warning System
Mr Prescott also commented that the establishment of the shadow Strategic Rail Authority had done much to provide a sense of direction to an industry previously fragmented by privatisation.
This year's summit takes place in the shadow of the Cullen inquiry into the Paddington rail tragedy. Mr Prescott stressed the importance of learning from this tragic event and confirmed that he and the Sir David Davies of the Health and Safety Commission would be attending a separate rail safety meeting later in the year.
Speaking later at the summit Lord McDonald was keen to point out that there was still plenty of work to be done:
"Passengers are still not getting the service they expect. We must work hard through the coming year to make sure standards are raised. That means better safety, improved performance, new rolling stock on stream and investment for the future secured."
