"Network Rail to be broken up or sold off"

[V8Matthew]

Or so reads the headline - reading further into the article it seems to be mainly speculation.
Network Rail's debt is now on the state's books and I imagine this troubles the government, but would it be possible to privatise NR without repeating the Railtrack debacle?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/tr...

Some people have theorised that it may return to a system similar to the old "Big Four", where private companies are responsible for both the infrastructure maintenance and running services on their route. Network Rail's current focus seems to be on forming alliances with train operators, for example NR Scotland and Abellio ScotRail, so it isn't too difficult to imagine.

Matthew

Edited by V8Matthew on Wednesday 1st April 11:48

[Simpo Two]

I think there is much to be said for a concept called 'British Rail'.

[V8Matthew]

I agree. I'm not advocating we go back to the 'bad old days' of late services and dodgy sandwiches, but there should be far greater collaboration between train operators and the infrastructure owner. The problem is that the Conservatives are highly unlikely to renationalise the railways, and Labour didn't manage to do it during their 13 years in power, despite their promise to do so. I think many people would be shocked at how much time and effort goes into apportioning blame following an incident, when that time could have been used for a collaborative approach to prevent repeat failures.

[andy97]

Date check?

[andy97]

Date check?

[V8Matthew]

andy97 said:

Date check?

Article published on the 29th. I would also think it a tasteless April fool's