What have been the effects of privitisation on our railway system ~ good and bad?

[Sarah Brewin]

Hi. I'm a student a Durham University, and am undertaking a dissertation looking at rural transport, and state initiatives to support it. One of the major issues concerning my project is the effect that privitsation
has had on the railway system; both good (erm..) and bad effects. In addition, I'm also looking at railway re-opening schemes, particularly private/local authority partnerships, and heritage railways which are
line-sharing with the bigger train operating companies. My focus area is Northumberland, so of particular relevance is the East Coast Main Line, and the proposed Alnwick-Alnmouth link, plus the re-opening of
Belford station on the ECML. If anyone has any ideas, suggestions, thoughts, opinions or useful contacts/publications, then they would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks,

Sarah Brewin

[andy hughes]

Hi Sarah - my thought is one common to privatised industry generally, which usually results in service, and more especially safety being compromised in order to generate maximum revenue for shareholders, and usually Board members as well. As soon as you give someone a finnancial incentive to cut costs, you will erode both service and safety to varying degrees company-wide - and the rail network is a perfect example: under-investment and poor safety records are a direct conseuence of the greed culture created by appeasing shareholders and directors first, and letting the 'customer' take his chances.

[andy hughes]

Hi again Sarah - you may want to have a look at these websites to assist your research - http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/trlout/TRA4.html http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/VG/railway. html
http://www.nostalgiacollection.com/site/system/index. Hope these help.