06 February 2004
Public Accounts Committee chair Edward Leigh has castigated the Strategic Rail Authority for a 'catalogue of blunders' in its attempts to introduce new modern trains to the network.
'The travelling public and the taxpayers are paying the price,' Leigh said, as the National Audit Office revealed that train operating companies are unlikely to meet their target to remove all older 'slam-door' trains from service by December 2004.
The NAO report, published on February 4, highlighted delays that had plagued the introduction of new trains, up to two-and-a-half years in some cases, and made a series of recommendations about what could be done to take things forward. The problems identified included a lack of organisational coherence in the industry and the absence of standardisation between network and trains, forcing individual routeing of trains.
Although 400 of the oldest slam-door trains have been replaced, 1,600 remain in service. The introduction of modern stock is being hindered by necessary upgrades to the power supply in Network Rail's southern region – work that did not begin until mid-2002.
Although both the Strategic Rail Authority and the rail industry have made progress in reducing this backlog, some 300 carriages may be stockpiled early this year at a cost of more than £7m.
In addition, the report found that although the new trains generally resulted in a more pleasant ride for passengers, they were not without significant problems. For example, failure by train operating companies and manufacturers to consult with passengers led to complaints about layout and accessibility. Lack of off-network testing facilities also meant trains were frequently subject to mechanical or electronic faults or problems with air-conditioning.
The NAO said the SRA should 'redouble its efforts' to help bring new trains into service but added it could not be expected to do this by itself. The report's author, Keith Holden, said: 'The report chimes well with and the timing is good for [Transport Secretary] Alistair Darling's review of the rail industry.'
Leigh said: 'It is clear that the many public and private sector organisations in the rail industry involved in introducing new trains are not working with a common purpose and resolve. On behalf of railway passengers everywhere, the SRA must bang some heads together to get results.'
PFfeb2004
