Strategic direction and specific deliverables for the new Millennium

ORR/99/02
26 January 1999

In an address at the EuroRail Congress ‘99, taking place this year in Paris, the Rail Regulator Chris Bolt today called attention to the significance of strategic direction and specific deliverables in taking Europe’s railway industry forward into the new millennium.

Drawing on the UK’s experience of rail privatisation, Chris Bolt developed themes which are echoed by current developments in other EU countries:

"The over-riding lesson for us has been that, at the time of restructuring, much of the focus in developing the initial matrix of contracts and licences was focussed on measures to prevent private sector operators making significant cuts in services which were regarded as socially beneficial. More attention now needs to be given to accommodating growth. That is now the central focus of our regulatory effort, and the challenge for all participants in the industry."

Chris Bolt highlighted the need to be clear what the railway industry is expected to deliver, and what is needed to maintain flexibility in existing structures. In particular he welcomed EU Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock’s call for remaining national rail monopolies to be split into separate track and train operating concerns, to allow the European railway network to achieve its full freight and passenger potential. Welcoming the role that the UK’s new Strategic Rail Authority will play in this initiative, Chris Bolt said:

"It is not the Regulator’s role to decide whether increasing the performance and capacity of the rail network will bring social benefits in terms of overall transport policy. TheStrategic Rail Authority will assess the likely future development of the rail industry, and will provide both a basis for determining which socially desirable - but uncommercial, projects should be taken forward and provide a clear basis for both Railtrack and rolling stock companies to take decisions."

The full text of the Rail Regulator’s address at the EuroRail Congress ‘99 is available from the ORR Press Office and on this website.

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