Merseytravel Could Be Asked To Run The Local Rail Network-Neil Scales Empire Building Could Be Complete.

MERSEYSIDE is poised to become the first part of Britain to run its own rail network, under a radical government shake-up to be unveiled today. Rob Merrick reported


A groundbreaking report will propose “vertical integration” to drive down costs, allowing some areas to take control of both track and trains – ending the divide imposed by privatisation 15 years ago.

Merseytravel, the passenger authority, has pressed to be given the new powers for many years, but was thwarted by the last Labour government.
Now the Daily Post has learned that ministers believe Merseyside is the “obvious candidate” to carry out a trial of the new approach, because – unlike inter-city trains – it covers a small area.
Local transport bosses believe the benefits will include the ability to:


Carry out track maintenance at more convenient times – preventing complete shutdowns of vital lines;

Improve existing lines – perhaps completing the electrification of the Bidston-to-Wrexham line, which will only be electrified on the Welsh side of the border, under current plans;
Assume responsibility for track failures – which passengers wrongly blame on Merseytravel, rather than on Network Rail, which is responsible for infrastructure.
Carry out improvements at stations – again, currently the responsibility of Network Rail.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/05/19/merseytravel-set-to-win-control-of-railway-tracks-92534-28721186/

Previously, the authority’s chief executive, Neil Scales, has called for the switch by saying: “Vertical integration is not something that would work across the country.

“But it is admirably suited to the Merseyrail network, which is self-contained and largely separated from the rest of the UK network.”

Today, transport secretary Philip Hammond will announce the setting- up of a rail delivery group of industry leaders, to prepare a White Paper to be published in the autumn.

Mr Hammond will not commit himself to vertical integration, but is expected to praise the interesting ideas put forward by Sir Roy McNulty, a former chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority.

The review is expected to conclude that the rail network costs up to 30% more than it should to operate, high costs he will blame on the fragmentation that accompanied privatisation in the mid-1990s.

After the South Parkway Station Mess where they at Miserytravel spent £30,000,000 and did not think to move a set of points so as the London Trains could stop. Is this wise? http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2011/02/liverpool-south-parkway-station.html

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2011/05/why-did-merseytravel-spend-42-million.html 

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2011/05/neil-scales-and-merseytravel-spend.html