Network rail fine bad news for passengers - McInnes

5.01.00pm GMT Thu 28th Feb 2008

Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP has described the £14million fine handed to Network Rail as pointless.

Network Rail were penalised for overrunning engineering work on the West Coast line which caused severe delays to cross border passengers.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said:

"A £14million fine is not a sensible punishment for Network Rail. This money will come directly out of funds that could be used to improve our railways.

"This will just cause more misery for the passengers that already have been inconvenienced by overrunning engineering works.

"The ORR has identified the cause of the overruns to be weaknesses in management and poor communication. There is no doubt the company needs to do things better in the future.

"But this fine will do nothing to help passengers, it penalises them twice over, first they suffered the delays, and now there is less money for much needed improvements.

"Liberal Democrats want to see an action plan from Network Rail on how it intends to tackle rail possessions in the future."