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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...-britains-train-tracks/?WT.mc_id=tmg_share_tw
This could be badNetwork Rail will be stripped of its control over Britain’s train tracks and power handed to operators in the biggest shake up of the railways for decades, the Government is to announce.
In an attempt to end delays and lower fares for consumers, Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, will say he wants the state-owned Network Rail to share responsibility for running the tracks with private train operators.
It means that rail companies such as Virgin or Southern would become responsible for repairs and maintenance for the first time - ending Network Rail's monopoly.
The Government hopes this will incentivise train companies to complete repairs more quickly and possibly herald cheaper fares.
The proposal is due to be set out by Mr Grayling in a speech at a Conservative think tank Policy Exchange on Tuesday.
Mr Grayling is understood to want to challenge Network Rail’s monopoly on repairing and upgrading tracks and signalling. One idea is to introduce “vertical integration” which would see train companies given power over the running of their sections of the rail network when future franchises are awarded.
One insider said the new idea – which would be applied “as new franchises are renewed” - possibly as soon as next year. Mr Grayling and the Department for Transport declined to comment when approached by The Daily Telegraph....
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