Anne Main says Network Rail going from bad to worse
19th December 2011
Anne continues to monitor Network Rail’s performance after a recent report from the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) shows that Network Rail’s performance ‘continued to deteriorate’. Anne brought this to the attention of the Leader of the House, Sir George Young, in the Chamber.
Anne said:
“I wrote in June to the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), because Network Rail was missing eight out of 10 of its targets. In November, the Office of Rail Regulation said that its projections showed that Network Rail would fail to meet many of the targets that had been reset for it. The latest report from the ORR said:
‘Train performance continued to deteriorate’.
That is having a massive impact on my commuters, as 60% of delays have been attributed to it. When can we have a statement? Network Rail is being monitored still for failing so many targets. May we have an urgent statement on its performance in the new year?”
On leaving the Chamber Anne said:
“I am disappointed that Network Rail’s performance has continued to deteriorate. Their continued poor performance is having an unacceptably negative impact on my constituents and this needs to be addressed by a debate or a statement from the Minister. I will be watching Network Rail’s performance over the Christmas season with great interest and I look forward to reading ORR’s report on Network Rails performance. While I hope their service improves I do not hold out much hope of this happening and if we cannot have a service that my constituents deserve I will be calling for Network Rail’s franchise to be removed in the New Year”.
“Since my question to the Leader of the House there has been a worrying development from ORR who have, after further investigation, concluded that Network Rail is currently in breach of its license due to failures on both long distance passenger routes and rail freight targets. As a result of this it has been issued with two enforcement orders. Clearly Network Rail is lurching from bad to worse and I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt. Hon Justine Greening, calling for Network Rail to lose its franchise”.
