Labour plans to abolish Network Rail

[Falcon1200]

Northern Ireland still has their train operator and infrastructure combined in to one company and it is noticeably a lot better and everything is more reliable over there. So i think this will actually be a good decision if it is done properly.

Northern Ireland Railways is a very different operation from mainland rail. One passenger operator (plus the Irish Rail Dublin services), no freight, no open access, and last but not least, a vastly smaller and simpler network. Total vertical integration can only ever be achieved by total nationalisation, of everything, and not even Labour is proposing that.

As for abolishing Network Rail, the name might change but the duties and functions will remain, carried out essentially by exactly the same people as before.

 

[Sonik]

As for abolishing Network Rail, the name might change but the duties and functions will remain, carried out essentially by exactly the same people as before.

I'm inclined to believe that Louise Haigh is playing with semantics, as I've noticed she (and others in the new government) are wont to do. It's all about presentation and I wouldn't read too much into it in a literal sense. The new government has to fend off political attacks not only from a hostile Tory press, but also from the Corbyn factions that have been purged from within their own ranks, so they walk a very fine line and are often seemingly careful with their choice of words.

Network Rail is essentially Railtrack renamed (legally it's the same corporate entity) and it's unclear whether GBR will entail an entirely new, government-internal structure or just a bit of re-jiging of funding and re-branding as happened before. It's certainly useful to the Treasury to have an arms-length corporate structure as this keeps it off the government's own balance sheet, which lets them play games with accounting for debt.

What I do find reassuring is that Louise is the first Transport Secretary in a long time who actually seems to use trains to get around the country on a regular basis.

 

[winks]

I’m pretty sure the IRB Great British Railways will be Network Rail renamed.

This from the Draft Rail Reform Bill:

“It is the governments intention that Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd (NRIL), the Network Rail company that currently carries out the infrastructure maintenance function, will be designated the new IRB.” New franchising and strategic functions that the IRB is to undertake will be transferred to this company.”

https://assets.publishing.service.g.../draft-rail-reform-bill-explanatory-notes.pdf

It also goes on to say that the new IRB (GBR) will not be crown property and staff will not be crown servants.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I’m pretty sure the IRB Great British Railways will be Network Rail renamed.
This from the Draft Rail Reform Bill:
“It is the governments intention that Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd (NRIL), the Network Rail company that currently carries out the infrastructure maintenance function, will be designated the new IRB.” New franchising and strategic functions that the IRB is to undertake will be transferred to this company.”
https://assets.publishing.service.g.../draft-rail-reform-bill-explanatory-notes.pdf
It also goes on to say that the new IRB (GBR) will not be crown property and staff will not be crown servants.

I think Andrew Haines has said emphatically that the formal use of the NRIL company structure as the basis for GBR does not mean that GBR is Network Rail renamed.
It's just that NRIL lets most of NR's contracts and continuity is useful in commercial terms.

I'm reminded that the then-defunct TOC called Cardiff Railway Company was used as the formal basis for setting up the Wales & Borders franchise company (which became ATW, and now TfW).
It was just a convenient administrative tactic to avoid setting up a new company from scratch.

 

[furnessvale]

And also Open Access Operators. They'll still be around under the new system

Presumably both freight and open access will be at the back of the queue when it comes to access until they wither away and cease to be a nuisance.

 

[GardenRail]

So, we're going to get a new colour uniform, and the trains will be the same colour. But actually, not much will change. Especially for the public.

 

[Kite159]

So, we're going to get a new colour uniform, and the trains will be the same colour. But actually, not much will change. Especially for the public.

Exclusive photo of what the new uniform will look like for Great British Railway . it's a joke!

(Photo shows an unknown male in a suit covered with union flags)

On a more serious note, it will be interesting to see what actually changes rather than just a case of spending thousands on a rebrand with only minor changes round the edges. Or will it be like 1997 when plans to change things were quietly ditched as 'can't afford it at the current time'?

 

[yorksrob]

Exclusive photo of what the new uniform will look like for Great British Railway . it's a joke!

(Photo shows an unknown male in a suit covered with union flags)

On a more serious note, it will be interesting to see what actually changes rather than just a case of spending thousands on a rebrand with only minor changes round the edges. Or will it be like 1997 when plans to change things were quietly ditched as 'can't afford it at the current time'?

Perhaps as a start, the new organisation might ensure that a map of the national rail network is on display at every station.

 

[dorsetdesiro]

The new GBR livery & uniform probably will have similarities to British Airways

 

[Howardh]

So, we're going to get a new colour uniform, and the trains will be the same colour. But actually, not much will change. Especially for the public.

As one of those, then your sentence is my thought too!

But there are areas where the public ought to see a difference, but as far as infrastructure/network rail (or whatever it's to be called) I doubt we will. Again as a layman I might be wrong, but in my eyes Network Rail fix the rails, the points, the wires, fences, overgrowth etc which we don't see/appreciate as we're on the train; but who is responsible for the stations? If a platform needs extending, or repair, or toilet block is flooded, does that come under National Rail's remit?

 

[NickBucks]

I assume Lord Hendy has been signed up by Sir Keir to resolve most of these issues.

 

[SwindonManor]

I have heard about this but not seen any plans afoot yet..

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

As one of those, then your sentence is my thought too!

But there are areas where the public ought to see a difference, but as far as infrastructure/network rail (or whatever it's to be called) I doubt we will. Again as a layman I might be wrong, but in my eyes Network Rail fix the rails, the points, the wires, fences, overgrowth etc which we don't see/appreciate as we're on the train; but who is responsible for the stations? If a platform needs extending, or repair, or toilet block is flooded, does that come under National Rail's remit?

It's all Network Rail, usually in conjunction with the local TOC.
NR operates many principal stations directly (including all London termini).
If it moves it's a TOC responsibility, if not it's down to NR.

 

[DJ_K666]

I hope the trains become Monastral blue and Pearl grey with Custard yellow ends.
We should get ramps on the ends of the platforms within a year and begin a locomotive and rolling stock building program for longer haul services. Double arrow logos each end of multiple units or in the centre on locomotives.

Oh and remove the 'Great' and 'Ways' from the name.
The retail units are already being turfed out of Swindon Works and the tracks replaced.

Now, who's going to make the British Rail Sandwiches? Glass domes and heat lamps are on order. Extra powerful lettuce-wilting ones.

Now to de-privatise the buses...

 

[BurtonM]

I can't stand the Great British Naming Convention.

 

[Falcon1200]

(Photo shows an unknown male in a suit covered with union flags)

Surely the uniform will have a mix of union flags and double arrows?!!

 

[Senex]

I can't stand the Great British Naming Convention.

I know it's off topic, but how I agree with you! Even "British Rail" was rather a fad. Why can't we go back to the good and appropriate "British Railways" as invented by an earlier Labour government?

 

[FormerBritInMe]

I hope the trains become Monastral blue and Pearl grey with Custard yellow ends.
We should get ramps on the ends of the platforms within a year and begin a locomotive and rolling stock building program for longer haul services. Double arrow logos each end of multiple units or in the centre on locomotives.

Oh and remove the 'Great' and 'Ways' from the name.
The retail units are already being turfed out of Swindon Works and the tracks replaced.

Now, who's going to make the British Rail Sandwiches? Glass domes and heat lamps are on order. Extra powerful lettuce-wilting ones.

Now to de-privatise the buses...

Also bring back slam door stock

Has Labour said anything about HS2, is there any chance the parts trimmed from the original proposal could be restored?

 

[yorksrob]

Now, who's going to make the British Rail Sandwiches? Glass domes and heat lamps are on order.

Prue, obviously.

 

[Recessio]

Also bring back slam door stock

Has Labour said anything about HS2, is there any chance the parts trimmed from the original proposal could be restored?

There's already a separate thread on HS2 2a.

Restarting HS2a

Wonder how quickly the 3 Mayors can persuade Louise Haigh to restart HS2a to get it to Crewe ( using thier 3rd party / government funding) and reapply the safeguarding for HS2b

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[greyman42]

I hope the trains become Monastral blue and Pearl grey with Custard yellow ends.
We should get ramps on the ends of the platforms within a year and begin a locomotive and rolling stock building program for longer haul services.

This sounds fantastic.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Also bring back slam door stock

Has Labour said anything about HS2, is there any chance the parts trimmed from the original proposal could be restored?

No. They've got to review the nation's finances first before big bucks are committed.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

I assume Lord Hendy has been signed up by Sir Keir to resolve most of these issues.

What pretty evident by the speed of a number of appointments over the last 72hrs across all ministries is that Labour has been discussing with these individuals beforehand over how to fix things before appointing them so I feel we will see some rapid progress meaning months rather than years to start seeing what the order will look like. We already know nationalisation will bi in next weeks Kings Speech will be the first indicator of likely structure and timeline.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

What pretty evident by the speed of a number of appointments over the last 72hrs across all ministries is that Labour has been discussing with these individuals beforehand over how to fix things before appointing them so I feel we will see some rapid progress meaning months rather than years to start seeing what the order will look like. We already know nationalisation will bi in next weeks Kings Speech will be the first indicator of likely structure and timeline.

Lilian Greenwood has been appointed a junior minister at the DfT.

 

[urbophile]

I know it's off topic, but how I agree with you! Even "British Rail" was rather a fad. Why can't we go back to the good and appropriate "British Railways" as invented by an earlier Labour government?

I remember a teacher at my school in the mid-1950s saying 'why do they need to call it anything at all? It's a train and it's in Britain, so what more information is the name adding?''

 

[DJ_K666]

This sounds fantastic.

The Blue grey era was what I consider 'My' era. That's when I got my interest as a kid, growing up a stones throw from the West Coastway line at Shoreham-by-Sea.

 

[GardenRail]

No. They've got to review the nation's finances first before big bucks are committed.

Will they even make sure it gets to Euston.....

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Lilian Greenwood has been appointed a junior minister at the DfT.

Good news but I was hoping for a more senior position for her.

 

[greyman42]

No. They've got to review the nation's finances first before big bucks are committed.

Correct me if i am wrong, but i believe they have had access to the books since January.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Correct me if i am wrong, but i believe they have had access to the books since January.

Only since the election was called I believe.
HS2 is simply too difficult until the costs are better understood.
The new HS2 CEO has to sort the existing project out first.