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This week, Transport Minister Kim Howells will embark on a regional tour to get to the bottom of rail performance.
In a series of visits throughout the week he will meet the front line staff of Network Rail who are working to rebuild the performance and reputation of Britain's railways. The visits to control centres, stations and signalling centres will enable him to discover what the problems are, what is being done and if more could be done to improve the region's train services.
Four out of five passenger trains in Britain run on time, but the Minster will find out what the main problems are that cause delays and how further improvements are being made.
"The Government is investing a massive £73 million in the railways every week to see improvements for the travelling public. This is helping to see improvements like the modernisation of the West Coast Mainline and the upgrade of electricity power supply to train lines South of the Thames. But there is still more work to be done.
"I will meet some of the people working daily to make a difference on the railway. I will ask them about concerns passengers have raised with me and if I think there are things that can be done better I will tell them."
The Minister, with a representative of the Government's rail agency - the Strategic Rail Authority, will visit four different areas on Britain's rail network. He will meet regional Network Rail directors and speak to train operators, contractors and passengers.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300 Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk
