Lilian Greenwood, Labour’s Shadow Rail Minister, responding to the Transport Committee’s report on the rail network, said:

“It’s clear that Ministerial incompetence has thrown the Government’s plans for upgrading the railways into serious doubt. They were asleep on the job during the Christmas meltdown, and across the country projects are delayed, overspent and at risk of being cut back.

“Hard pressed commuters on overcrowded carriages have been hit with fare rises of up to 33 per cent since 2010 and no end is in sight for the antiquated Pacer trains that David Cameron promised to replace.

“Labour will reform the railways through establishing a new ‘guiding mind’ for the industry and developing a long-term plan for procuring rolling stock.  Passengers want real reform – such as a legal right to the cheapest fare – but today’s report is a stark reminder that it won’t happen under a Tory Government.”