Sir, It may surprise some of your readers (“Biggest cuts since Beeching will slash rural train services”, Feb 25 and “Rail cuts ordered by ministers to reduce £5bn annual subsidy”, Feb 28) that we have the fastest-growing railway in Europe. And it will continue to grow.

Every day nearly three million passengers travel on nearly 20,000 services; about 20 per cent more services than in 1996. This is backed by long-term government investment; this year more than £4.5 billion. Of course, we want that investment to be spent efficiently, but this will be achieved through better management.

My department has not banned train operators from introducing additional services. We set the minimum and not the maximum. First Group, or any other train company, can add services if they wish as long as there is the capacity on the track. Of course, where there is very limited demand for services we need to consider whether our resources are deployed in the most effective way — as any other business would do.

Also, the franchise process does not prevent private investment. Yes, we specify a level of service, but operators can do better than that and are expected to do so. In the case of the Greater Western Franchise, First Group will invest more than £200 million to help to improve services.

This is a time of major improvements in Britain’s railways. The West Coast Main Line modernised, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link built, more than 4,000 new trains and carriages ordered and performance improving.

ALISTAIR DARLING
London SW1

Explore Letters

• Feedback