Off the tracks

Britain's largest transport union, the RMT, has learned that Network Rail has ordered the deferral of 28 per cent of its track-renewals programme thanks to financial restrictions imposed by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) - which is also the industry’s safety watchdog.

The squeeze is also being felt on the maintenance side of Network Rail, which is also seeing cuts in the frequency of track inspections and routine signals maintenance.

The RMT has demanded re-instatement of Network Rail’s full programme of planned renewals work and a reversal of cuts in maintenance regimes and inspections.

'The 22 per cent efficiency savings demanded by the ORR are being translated into a massive assault on planned renewals, inspections and maintenance that raises the spectre of another Hatfield or Potters Bar,' said Bob Crow, RMT general secretary.

He added: 'We do not make that assertion lightly, but the news that 28 per cent of planned renewals are to be deferred should raise alarm bells, not least when that comes on top of cuts in the frequency of inspections and signals maintenance.