TSSA Journal August/September 1999

The union has sent the report to the new Rail Regulator and is due to discuss the findings with transport ministers.

Ernest Godward of the Advanced Railway Research Centre at Sheffield University found:

 There is some evidence of increased investment now, but the lack of adequate investment in the past has had a damaging effect on the network;
 Railtrack needs to reassess the appropriate levels of investment to meet increased demand from freight and passenger operators;
 Maintenance and renewal is concentrating on patch and mend repairs rather than network improvements;
 Assets such as rails are being used beyond their optimum lifespan and for longer than under BR;
 Railtrack has created contractual relationships with its suppliers that are hostile to the interests of the rail industry.

TSSA General Secretary Richard Rosser commented: "We commissioned this research to find out if the facts bore out what everyone’s saying about Railtrack.

"In many respects they clearly do, and the evolving regulatory system will have to get to grips with Railtrack sooner rather than later - for the good of the whole industry.

"In the long term, that includes Railtrack."