History of rail transport in Great Britain 1995 to date

This article is part of a series on the History of rail transport in Great Britain

Rail Passengers in Great Britain from 1829-2014

The period from 1995 covers the history of rail transport in Great Britain following the privatisation of British Rail. During this period, passenger volumes have grown rapidly,[1] safety has improved,[2][3] and subsidies per journey have fallen. However, there is debate as to whether this is due to privatisation or better government regulation. See Impact of privatisation for more information. During this period, High Speed 1 and the West Coast Main Line upgrade were completed and more construction projects are currently under way.

Rail Subsidies 1986-2015

Overall rail subsidies have risen, as shown in the graph, although spend per journey has decreased, with the government providing a net total of £4.8 billion in 2014-15. This is down to increased investment (including £1.1 billion for Crossrail) as the railways now cover 99% of their operating costs, as opposed to making a £2 billion loss in the first full year of rail franchising.[4][5] However, this masks great regional variation, with "funding varying from £1.88 per passenger journey in England, to £7.77 per journey in Scotland, and £9.18 per journey in Wales".[6]

Due to the increase in passenger numbers and the prospect of high speed rail both within Great Britain and connecting to Europe, this period has been called the start of a new Golden Age of rail travel.[7][8] However quickly increasing passenger numbers have meant many trains are very crowded at peak times.[9] Peak-time fares have increased by over 200% (since privatisation) to deter people from travelling at these times,[10] whereas the price of advance tickets has halved in the same period.[11]

Government policy

Reform under the Labour government (1997–2010)

Rail modal share 1952–2014[12]

The Labour government (elected in 1997 after the majority of the privatisation process had been completed) did not completely reverse the railway privatisation of the previous administration. Initially it left the new structure largely in place, however its main innovation in the early years was the creation of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), initially in shadow form until the Transport Act 2000 received Royal Assent.

In the wake of the Hatfield rail crash in 2000, Railtrack entered into financial meltdown and the industry was in deep crisis. Labour refused to continue to bail out Railtrack and the company was put into Railway Administration in 2001 and a new company, Network Rail emerged to replace Railtrack in 2002. Since September 2014, Network Rail has been classified as a "government body".[13][14]

The Strategic Rail Authority lasted just five years. Following the passing of the Railways Act 2005, its business was wound up and its functions transferred to the Department for Transport Rail Group and the Office for Rail Regulation.[15] Further changes have followed, which has seen the government take back a greater degree of control but the early demise of the SRA suggests that the right formula for the long-term health of the rail industry has not yet been agreed.

Another important development occurred in the aftermath of the Potters Bar accident in May 2002 when a commuter train derailed (coincidentally on the same stretch of the East Coast Main Line as Hatfield) due to poorly maintained points. This resulted in Network Rail taking all track maintenance back in house and the industry went on to enjoy the longest period in modern times without a fatal accident due to industry error. This came to an end in February 2007 when a Virgin Pendolino derailed near Grayrigg in Cumbria, killing one person. The cause of the accident was identical to that in Potters Bar nearly five years earlier – once again calling into question Network Rail's maintenance procedures.

Following Gordon Brown's appointment as Prime Minister in 2007, Andrew Adonis was appointed Transport Secretary. He immediately began work on plans for a new high-speed route between London and Birmingham (later known as High Speed 2), which would augment the West Coast Main Line. Adonis also announced plans to electrify the Great Western Main Line from London as far as Swansea, as well as infill electrification schemes in the North West of England to remove diesel traction from certain key routes. Late in 2009, the InterCity East Coast franchise collapsed for the second time in three years when incumbent operator National Express East Coast (NXEC) proved unable to meet its financial obligations. Adonis transferred the franchise to the state-owned Directly Operated Railways to operate the route under its East Coast subsidiary.

Reform under the Coalition government (2010–2015)

After the 2010 General Election, the new Conservative led Coalition continued Labour's rail policies largely unaltered after a pause to review the finances. There was continuing support for the High Speed 2 scheme and further developing plans for the route, although great debate still rages over the scheme's benefits and costs. Whilst initially showing scepticism towards the electrification schemes of the Great Western route, they later gave the project its backing and work began formally in 2012. Plans were also mooted to electrify the remainder of the Midland Main Line.

In 2012, the franchising system again came under criticism when FirstGroup successfully ousted Virgin Trains as operator of the InterCity West Coast franchise. Virgin initially pursued a judicial review against the decision, citing the fact that First's bid was even more ambitious than the one which had scuttled National Express East Coast less than three years earlier. Before the review took place however, newly installed Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin scrapped the entire bidding process for the franchise and granted Virgin an extension to its contract when "severe technical flaws" were discovered in the original bidding competition.

The Conservative government (2015–present)

Subsidy per passenger journey for UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and France.

The Government has moved towards allowing more competition on the intercity network through open access operators. In 2015 it approved a service run by Alliance Rail to operate between London and Blackpool, and both Alliance and FirstGroup have applied to run open access services on the East Coast Main Line.[16][17]

Much debate continues over annual fare increases, although the government has now pledged to keep regulated rail fare increases at Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation for the remainder of this Parliament.[18] In addition much debate has continued over the financing of various rail schemes driven primarily by the huge cost and time overrun on the GWML route modernisation and electrification scheme. In connection with this, and to coincide with the Chancellor's Autumn statement on 25 November 2015, the Bowe and Hendy reports were produced.[19][20]

In March 2016, the National Infrastructure Commission said that Crossrail 2 should be taken forward "as a priority" and recommended that a bill should pass through Parliament by 2019 and the line should be open by 2033.[21] Crossrail 2 is a North-South railway through London, similar to the East-West railway Crossrail which is currently under construction.

Infrastructure projects

Completed projects

The British railway system continues to be developed. Contemporary projects include:

England

Scotland

Wales

Current developments

Timeline of improvements

2016

Class 700 Desiro City

2017

2018

Class 800 Super Express

2019

2020

2022

2023

Present locomotives and rolling stock

Diesel locomotives

Image Class Operator(s)
Class 08 DB Cargo UK
Riviera Trains
Great Western Railway
Class 20 Direct Rail Services
Harry Needle Railroad Company
GB Railfreight
Class 31 Devon & Cornwall Railways
Network Rail
Class 33 West Coast Railways
Class 37 Colas Rail
Direct Rail Services
West Coast Railways
Class 43 CrossCountry
Great Western Railway
Network Rail
Virgin Trains East Coast
East Midlands Trains
Class 47 Direct Rail Services
West Coast Railway
Riviera Trains
Colas Rail
Freightliner
Class 56 Colas Rail
UK Rail Leasing
Devon & Cornwall Railways
Class 57 Direct Rail Services
West Coast Railways
Great Western Railway
Class 59 DB Cargo UK
GB Railfreight
Mendip Rail
Class 60 Colas Rail
DB Cargo UK
Class 66 Colas Rail
DB Cargo UK
Direct Rail Services
Freightliner
GB Railfreight
Class 67 DB Cargo UK
Class 68 Direct Rail Services
Chiltern Railways
Class 70 Freightliner
Colas Rail
Class 73* GB Railfreight
Network Rail

* BR Class 73 is an electro-diesel locomotive which allows electrified and non electrified route workings.

Electric locomotives

Image Class Operator(s) Image Class Operator(s)
86
90
91
92
73a
Eurotunnel Class 9

a BR Class 73 is an electro-diesel locomotive which allows electrified and non electrified route workings.

Diesel multiple units

Image Class Operator(s) Image Class Operator(s)

142
143
144

150
153
155
156
158

159

165
166
168

170

171
172

175
180
185

220
221
222

AC electric multiple units

Image Class Operator(s) Image Class Operator(s)

314
315

317
318

320
321
322

323

332
333

334
350/2
357
360
365
373

374

379

380
387
390

Dual AC/DC electric multiple units

Image Class Operator(s) Image Class Operator(s)

313

319
700
325
350/1

375
377
378

395

DC electric multiple units

Image Class Operator(s) Image Class Operator(s)
442

444
450

455
456
458
376

465
466

507
508

Coaches

Image Model Operator(s) Image Model Operator(s)
BR Mk II
BR Mk III
BR Mk IV
BR Mk III Sleeper

Details of withdrawn locomotives and rolling stock : See article Withdrawn British Rail stock

Future rolling stock

Image Class Operator(s) Type Image Class Operator(s) Type
88 Direct Rail Services Bimode 70 Colas Rail Diesel
195 DMU 331 EMU
345 EMU
385 EMU

700
707
710

EMU
800

801
802

Bimode (800, 802)

EMU (801)

References

  1. "Growth of 6.9% in 2010 takes demand for rail travel to new high levels". Association of Train Operating Companies. February 2011. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  2. "NATIONAL RAIL TRENDS 2009-10 YEARBOOK" (PDF). Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  3. "Railway safety statistical report 2007" (PDF). Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  4. Office of Rail Regulation: 2014-15 Annual Statistical Release Rail Finance
  5. "Dataset on industry finances and performance 1997-98 – 2013-14" (PDF).
  6. "Rail regulator publishes industry financials report for 2013-14 | Office of Rail and Road". Orr.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016-06-03.
  7. Beanland, Christopher (10 July 2014). "Striking new stations, high-speed links and (whisper it) better services - the UK's railways are entering a new golden age". The Independent. London.
  8. http://www.theguardian.com/sainsburys-bank-future-families/2015/jun/19/the-second-golden-age-of-rail-new-fast-trains-will-soon-offer-a-genuine-alternative-to-air-travel
  9. Massey, Ray (10 September 2014). "Cattle truck UK: More than half of train passengers forced to stand". Daily Mail. London.
  10. Have train fares gone up or down since British Rail?, BBC News, 22 January 2013
  11. "The facts about rail fares - Stagecoach Group". Stagecoach.com. 2013-12-06. Retrieved 2016-06-03.
  12. "Rail modal share 1952–2014".
  13. Stewart, Heather. "Network Rail to be 'government body', adding £30bn to UK national debt". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  14. ONS decision on the classification of Network Rail Department for Transport 17 December 2013
  15. "Department for Transport – GOV.UK". Dft.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016-06-03.
  16. "London – Blackpool open access service approved".
  17. "ORR to decide on Alliance Rail open access application this summer".
  18. "Earnings outstrip rail fare increases for first time in a decade".
  19. "Bowe Report".
  20. "Hendy Report".
  21. "Crossrail 2 must be developed 'as a priority' and delivered by 2033 – NIC".
  22. "Glasgow - News, views, gossip, pictures, video - Daily Record". Iclanarkshire.icnetwork.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-06-03.
  23. "HS2: Phase one of high-speed rail line gets go-ahead". BBC News. 10 January 2012.
  24. "Go-ahead given to new railway". Department for Transport. January 2012.
  25. "Northern Hub". Northern Hub. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  26. "Northern Hub Technical Study" (PDF). Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  27. "The Northern Way - Manchester Hub Phase 1" (PDF). Northern Way. April 2009. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  28. "Modernising the Great Western (page 8)" (PDF). Network Rail.
  29. "Modernising the Great Western (page 7)" (PDF). Network Rail.
  30. "Modernising the Great Western (page 13 timeline)" (PDF). Network Rail.
  31. 1 2 "Great Western electrification: Intercity line work 'deferred'". BBC News. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  32. Paul Maynard (8 November 2016). "Written statement to Parliament, Rail update: rail investment in the Great Western route". gov.uk. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  33. Thomas, Nathalie (26 August 2013). "Going underground on Crossrail: A 40-year project is taking shape". The Telegraph. London.
  34. "Late-February debut for Gatwick Express Class 387/2s".
  35. https://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2016/mar/upgrade-improves-railway-Norton-Bridge-opens/
  36. Our Commitments : Thameslink
  37. 1 2 "Bromsgrove's new railway station on track to open in the spring".
  38. "NR lays down Oxford tracks ahead of London Marylebone service in December".
  39. "EGIP - Electrification Programme". Egip.info. Retrieved 2016-06-03.
  40. "Crossrail: New trains".
  41. "TfL tries to reduce line-closure time for GOBLIN electrification". 2 February 2016.
  42. http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-Sept-2016.pdf
  43. "First South West Trains Class 707 EMU under construction". Railway Gazette. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  44. 1 2 Government gives green light for more state-of-the-art intercity trains, Department for Transport, 18 July 2013
  45. "GWR runs first bi-mode IEP Class 800 to Paddington".
  46. https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/461/item_14
  47. "Walsall to Rugeley electrification – The Chase Line".
  48. "Hendy Report January 2016" (PDF).
  49. "Windermere branch electrification funding confirmed".
  50. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-37035905
  51. https://www.networkrail.co.uk/North_West_electrification.aspx
  52. 1 2 3 4 "Crossrail opening timeline".
  53. "Bombardier wins London Overground EMU contract".
  54. Fuller, Mike (2016-03-21). "Direct trains from Frodsham and Helsby to Liverpool proposed after Halton Curve reopens". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 2016-06-03.
  55. 1 2 "GWML electrification dates revealed", www.railtechnologymagazine.com, 22 January 2016
  56. "Arriva signs rolling stock contract for new Northern rail franchise". Arriva Rail North. Arriva Rail North. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  57. Haigh, Philip. "Is it time for the railway to standardise on fewer types of trains, to cut costs?". PressReader.com. Rail Magazine. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  58. "Pacers: The train that the UK has struggled to get rid of".
  59. 1 2 "Midland Main Line improvement programme".
  60. Knowles, Michael (30 July 2015). "Croxley Rail Link will not be completed until 2020, documents reveal". Watford Observer. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  61. "Trans-Pennine and Midland Main Line electrification by 2023 as work unpaused".

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