The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has called on Network Rail to begin work immediately on meeting the targets set for it in the periodic review issued by the Office of Rail Regulation.
“There is no time to lose if Network Rail is to meet its targets for upgrading the infrastructure and improving services for both passengers and freight by 2014,” said Tony Berkeley, chairman of the RFG.
The review calls for improvements in capacity to accommodate ‘the expected 20 per cent more passengers and a 30 per cent increase in freight services’ and stipulates ‘at least a 25 per cent reduction in freight trains delays caused by Network Rail’.
“We welcome the ORR review and urge Network Rail to accept the challenge of meeting these targets,” says Tony Berkeley. He warns that if Network Rail decided to appeal to the Competition Commission against the ORR 2008 Periodic Review, the outcome could result in tougher targets being set or less funding made available. “An appeal could go either way for Network Rail.”
