Beleaguered Grayling set to announce major new review of rail services
The government is set to launch a major review of the UK’s railways this week, following widespread criticism and a series of operational problems.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling is expected to appoint Keith Williams, the former boss of British Airways, to undertake a systematic, 12-month review of the country’s rail services.
Williams is the deputy chairman of department store John Lewis, chairman of Halfords and holds non-executive posts at Aviva and Royal Mail.
The Labour Party described the current private franchise system as “broken”, calling for railways to be renationalised, while the government claimed privatisation “has helped transform our railway” by boosting services.
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The review is expected to look at lessons from the collapse of the East Coast mainline franchise.
Grayling has faced calls to resign after his handling of disruption faced by Thameslink and Great Northern passengers this year after new timetables were introduced by owner Govia Thameslink.
Other embarrassments for the transport secretary include the failure of the East Coast franchise, a series of cancellations and strikes across networks, problems with projects run by Network Rail, delays and cost overruns in the HS2 high-speed rail project, and delays to the launch of the Elizabeth Line, formerly known as CrossRail.
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Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald said: “Long-suffering rail passengers don't need a review to explain to them that the franchising system is broken beyond repair.”
“No amount of tinkering will change the fact that rail franchising has failed, does not deliver and never will,” he added.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Privatisation has helped transform our railway – doubling passenger numbers and delivering more services, extra investment and new trains.
“We are absolutely committed to improving journeys and are always examining ways to improve how the railway serves passengers.”