Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, commenting on reports that the Government plans to give responsibility for rail tracks to private train operators, said:

“Inviting private train companies to take responsibility for safety critical repairs and maintenance is an irresponsible move. We don’t want to see a return to the bad old days of Railtrack, where under-investment and a poor safety record led to passengers being put at risk.

“Train operating companies, some of which run abysmal services, should not be invited to take responsibility for the repair and maintenance of Britain’s railways. Private companies are only likely to have concern for our infrastructure for their period of commercial interest, but our railways require long term investment and strategic thinking. These are the wrong plans for Britain’s railways.

“It is time for our railways to be run under public ownership in the public interest,  when franchises expire, with affordable fares for all and long term investment in the railway network. Today’s announcement will take us further away from that.”