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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Call for shake-up at Network Rail | Call for shake-up at Network Rail |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A campaign to end the "systematic weaknesses" of Network Rail which cause "unnecessary" chaos to travellers has been launched by a group of MPs. | A campaign to end the "systematic weaknesses" of Network Rail which cause "unnecessary" chaos to travellers has been launched by a group of MPs. |
| The 29 Co-operative Party MPs, who work with the Labour Party, want the public to have more of a say over the way the rail infrastructure firm is governed. | The 29 Co-operative Party MPs, who work with the Labour Party, want the public to have more of a say over the way the rail infrastructure firm is governed. |
| They say if it was run as efficiently as the European average there would be cash for 1,000 new rail coaches yearly. | |
| Network Rail controls Britain's tracks, signals, most stations and tunnels. | Network Rail controls Britain's tracks, signals, most stations and tunnels. |
| 'Systematic weakness' | 'Systematic weakness' |
| There are 29 Co-operative Party MPs, nine members of the Scottish Parliament and four Welsh Assembly members among its 8,000-strong membership. | There are 29 Co-operative Party MPs, nine members of the Scottish Parliament and four Welsh Assembly members among its 8,000-strong membership. |
| A Co-operative Party spokesman said the People's Rail campaign aimed "to remedy the systemic weaknesses in Network Rail that have repeatedly and unnecessarily caused chaos to the travelling public". | A Co-operative Party spokesman said the People's Rail campaign aimed "to remedy the systemic weaknesses in Network Rail that have repeatedly and unnecessarily caused chaos to the travelling public". |
| He said the current governance structure of Network Rail was failing both the passengers and the rail industry. | He said the current governance structure of Network Rail was failing both the passengers and the rail industry. |
| "In effect, the board appoints Network Rail's members," he said. | "In effect, the board appoints Network Rail's members," he said. |
| About half of Network Rail's income comes from government | About half of Network Rail's income comes from government |
| "While an independent panel selects the members, this is effectively appointed and remunerated by the board as well. | "While an independent panel selects the members, this is effectively appointed and remunerated by the board as well. |
| "This puts Network Rail's board in the unparalleled position of being able to choose those to whom it is accountable." | "This puts Network Rail's board in the unparalleled position of being able to choose those to whom it is accountable." |
| "We believe that long suffering passengers deserve better than a network run for the convenience of an unaccountable board, and that the British public deserve real control over how the network is run." | "We believe that long suffering passengers deserve better than a network run for the convenience of an unaccountable board, and that the British public deserve real control over how the network is run." |
| Industry nominees | Industry nominees |
| The campaign calls for all citizens to be given the right to become individual members of Network Rail. | The campaign calls for all citizens to be given the right to become individual members of Network Rail. |
| Network Rail would give all of its members the right to elect governor representatives to a members' council, which would replace the role currently fulfilled by its existing membership. | Network Rail would give all of its members the right to elect governor representatives to a members' council, which would replace the role currently fulfilled by its existing membership. |
| Industry members could continue to be nominated by their respective interest groups - from train operating companies or trade unions. | Industry members could continue to be nominated by their respective interest groups - from train operating companies or trade unions. |
| At the weekend Network Rail - which receives half its income directly from government - said it was to look at the prospect of building five new high-speed lines in Britain to cope with increasing passenger demand. | At the weekend Network Rail - which receives half its income directly from government - said it was to look at the prospect of building five new high-speed lines in Britain to cope with increasing passenger demand. |