HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : SRA Responds to Calls for London ‘Transit Authority’ [November 2001]

The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 29 November 2001.

The Strategic Rail Authority today responded to Transport for London’s call for a new ‘Transit Authority. The SRA is already working closely with TfL to plan rail services in London, and has established a joint company – Cross London Rail Links Ltd – to take forward major projects.

The SRA does not believe that a Transit Authority for London, as outlined by TfL, is necessary, but does support closer integration and joint planning of the surface, Underground, light rail and bus systems. The Authority believes that rail planning for the national rail network in and around London should be undertaken strategically in the interests of passengers and freight customers as a whole, rather than being determined by political boundaries.

Speaking at a conference on Rail in London today, SRA Chief Executive, Mike Grant said:

“London is at the heart of the national rail network. London’s railways are not a Transit network, but a mixed use network for freight, local, regional, long distance and international passenger services. London’s rail routes connect Scotland, the North of England and the Midlands with the Channel Tunnel and the major ports.

“London’s ‘travel to work area’ extends well beyond the GLA boundary, which excludes key centres such as Watford, Gatwick Airport and Basildon, and the boundary itself has little relevance to passengers.

“The creation of a Transit Authority would require legislation and would involve delay and added complexity. I sense that passengers and London’s businesses want us to deliver improvements sooner rather than later – and to do more besides. I do not think they want to wait for yet more regulatory change, particularly when so much can be achieved through working together and making sensible use of the existing structure. We have to provide a better service to London’s passengers through collaborative working between SRA and TfL. We should focus on delivery, and not add to the uncertainty and risk by further changes in structure and regulation within London.”