A leaked internal Network Rail presentation has revealed train delays will worsen over the next five years due to rising costs and funding, which the Shadow Transport Secretary called a “dismal Conservative failure”.
The presentation was seen by the Independent and reportedly said the current funding would not let Network Rail “operate, maintain and renew” their tracks, bridges and earthworks infrastructure. The “official-sensitive-commercial” presentation was intended for rail industry bosses.
It reported costs will increase because rather than replacing the old infrastructure with the new, they are continuing to repair old infrastructure which in the long term will be more expensive.
They will reportedly have to cut their £3 billion “risk fund” which is designed to help in emergencies like severe weather and may have to prioritise fixing the rail services that make the most money. There will be fewer repairs over the next five years and there could be more obstructions that cause delays and accidents due to an inability to clear them.
This comes on top of some record cancellations and wait times between October to December last year with 4.5 per cent of all trains cancelled, the highest rate since 2014, and only 62.3 per cent of station stops arriving on time, according to the Office of Rail and Road. There was also a 5.9 per cent increase in rail fares last month with the presentation highlighting fears that cost could continue rise.
While the department said they do not comment on leaks, a spokesperson from the Department for Transport said they have made a record pledge to Network Rail.
“We have pledged a record £44.1 billion for Network Rail as part of our commitment to maintain vital infrastructure and run a safe and reliable railway.”
The money is allocated from April 2024 to March 2029 and includes a 4 per cent increase compared to the last period and marks an above-inflation investment.
Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said 'short-sighted decisions don’t lower costs – they harm our public finances in the long run, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill'.
“A lost decade of dismal Conservative failure has left the country with second-rate infrastructure, and broken rail services failing passengers,” she said.
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Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said 'short-sighted decisions don’t lower costs – they harm our public finances in the long run, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill'.
“A lost decade of dismal Conservative failure has left the country with second-rate infrastructure, and broken rail services failing passengers,” she said.
