Regulator takes enforcement action to ensure Railtrack delivers network recovery
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20 March 2001 The Rail Regulator, Tom Winsor, today announced enforcement action requiring Railtrack to implement in full its rail recovery plans for most of the network by 21 May 2001. The move has been prompted by information supplied by the company, suggesting that up to 16 passenger and two freight train operating companies (TOCs) will be unable to run a pre-Hatfield level of service even after Easter. Commenting on this action, Tom Winsor said: "Services have much improved since I made an order requiring Railtrack to produce TOC-specific recovery plans on 2 January 2001. Progress has been made and customers are returning to rail. However, the train operators and I remain concerned at the continued delay in restoring the network to its pre-Hatfield operating standard. "Information provided to me by Railtrack, summarised in the attached table, suggests that after Easter 16 passenger and two freight TOCs will still face emergency timetables or running normal timetables with significant delays. Railtrack says that it will complete the work of restoring normal operation for most TOCs by 21 May, the first working day of the summer timetable. In certain cases, the recovery dates are later so as to reflect specific circumstances on particular routes. I am making an enforcement order to commit Railtrack to its own revised timetable. "This further enforcement order is required to concentrate minds at Railtrack. The industry cannot allow further drift of deadlines for the restoration of a reliable network if it is to deliver the growth and new services envisaged in the government's ten year plan." The current problems on the network highlight longer term stewardship issues. The Regulator has therefore required Railtrack to produce a network quality assessment by the middle of April. It will set out initial plans to address these longer-term issues, and the implications for the capability and quality of the network in 2001-2002. In the light of this, the Regulator has directed that the Network Management Statement (NMS) setting out Railtrack's ten year plan be published in two parts and he has decided to defer publication of the first part, which will deal with sustaining the network, from 31 March 2001 until 31 May 2001. This extension should enable Railtrack to provide more robust information on its detailed plans. The date for the second part, including large scale enhancements to the network, will be determined in consultation with the Strategic Rail Authority. Attached to this press notice is Network recovery - Assessment of forward position as at 12 March. Notes for editors:
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