Unions fear Network Rail facing privatisation amid budget crisis

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TomandJerry

Well-known member

Oct 1, 2013

11,450

• Sep 20, 2015

• #1

Network Rail could be privatised as the government seeks a solution to its financial problems, according to the industry executive leading a review of the state-owned operator of Britain’s rail tracks and stations.

Nicola Shaw, who is due to report back to the government early next year on the future structure and financing of Network Rail, said she could not rule out recommending privatisation.

When asked in a BBC interview if part or full privatisation were options, Shaw replied: “Yes absolutely. In relation to the financing section of this - because it’s Network Rail’s future structure and financing - that’s absolutely on the table, it can’t not be.”

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/sep/20/network-rail-privatisation-under-consideration-amid-budget-crisis

Three reviews are under way:

One looking into what went wrong, due in a few weeks.

Network Rail's new chairman Sir Peter Hendy is looking at what they can afford to upgrade and how long it will take. It is likely to be published in November.

Nicola Shaw's report into how to change the structure and financing of Network Rail due in the spring.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34276868

 

GT49er

Well-known member

Feb 1, 2009

46,717

Gloucester

• Sep 20, 2015

• #2

The problem is not that Network Rail isn't privatised, but that the rest of the railway system is!

 

H

Hampster Gull

New member

Dec 22, 2010

13,462

• Sep 20, 2015

• #3

Corbyn will sort and we will have everything back under state ownership

 

beorhthelm

A. Virgo, Football Genius

Jul 21, 2003

35,303

• Sep 20, 2015

• #4

GT49er said:

The problem is not that Network Rail isn't privatised, but that the rest of the railway system is!

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the problem is that Network Rail has apparently been poorly run. it was when private, it has been when state owned. seems to me the ownership isnt the problem, its down to lines of managment and responsibilty.

maybe we need to stop looking at this from a state/private ownership issue and look at alternative models, something like the BBC - state funded with independent governance? or a charity model? get the politics out of the way.

 

Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member

NSC Patron

Jul 11, 2003

59,514

The Fatherland

• Sep 20, 2015

• #5

beorhthelm said:

maybe we need to stop looking at this from a state/private ownership issue and look at alternative models, something like the BBC - state funded with independent governance? get the politics out of the way.

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I have advocated this for education for a long long time.

 

B

BensGrandad

New member

Jul 13, 2003

72,015

Haywards Heath

• Sep 20, 2015

• #6

Could it and should it be partly funded by or large contributions given by the rail companys using the facilities provided like stations rails etc.

 

yxee

Well-known member

Oct 24, 2011

2,521

Manchester

• Sep 20, 2015

• #7

The problem isn't that it's public, it's that it's under-funded.

 

D

Deleted member 22389

Guest

• Sep 20, 2015

• #8

Even under state ownership is doesn't actually mean your going to get a better service. The rail system is over capacity and there is no real way of expanding the current system. The only way would be to rip up all the lines and start over again. We can't even run double decker trains in this country because our tunnels are too low.

 

Ernest

Stupid IDIOT

Nov 8, 2003

42,739

LOONEY BIN

• Sep 20, 2015

• #9

It was renationalised because Railtrack was not only insolvent but the lack of maintenance caused several deaths , definition of stupidity = do the same thing again and expect a different result.

 

El Presidente

The ONLY Gay in Brighton

Helpful Moderator

Jul 5, 2003

39,707

Pattknull med Haksprut

• Sep 20, 2015

• #10

Herr Tubthumper said:

I have advocated this for education for a long long time.

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Isn't that what we have with academies? Problem is that you end up with academy 'chains' who cherry pick the most lucrative options and ignore the rest. All they care about is bottom line and league tables, education comes trailing far behind.

It's similar to way the postal service is going, with an end to universal delivery if management get their way.

 

beorhthelm

A. Virgo, Football Genius

Jul 21, 2003

35,303

• Sep 20, 2015

• #11

yxee said:

The problem isn't that it's public, it's that it's under-funded.

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given a £37billion debt, thats not the whole story either.