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John Watts, Minister for Railways and Roads, today welcomed the announcement that quality indicators showing Railtrack's performance in maintaining and renewing Britain's rail network are to be published for the first time.
Mr Watts commented:
"This is an excellent example of how the restructured rail industry is working together to deliver improved information for all rail users. Not only will these indicators facilitate regulation of the railways, but they will also provide another means for the public to judge the performance of the privatised rail industry for themselves. This is another step towards a more accountable railway, focused on the needs of the customer."
The quality indicators will measure Railtrack's performance in maintaining and renewing the railway infrastructure. They are designed in particular to assist the Rail Regulator and the Train Operating Companies in monitoring the standards assumed in setting track access charges.
Railtrack and the Rail Regulator have worked together to establish the details of the information to be provided. The areas covered will include:
the route kilometres available to different types of traffic the number of stations the extent of electrification ride quality punctuality the number and causes of incidents.
The indicators are expected to be published by Railtrack at the same time as the consolidated annual report and accounts, although some will be made available on a six-monthly basis. The first figures will be published at the time of the interim results for the six months ending 30 September 1996.
