Monday 10 February 2014

First they came for the smokers, then the snorers...

Be afraid, be very afraid!

As the state today seeks ever more keenly to intervene in the public health debate, without having the balls you will note to actually ban the lucrative but perceived cause of the problem, what are we to make of this? 

On behalf of the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Freight Transport, Rob Flello MP, I am writing to you to ask that you join the group as it meets on 4th March at 13:00 in the Thatcher Room in Portcullis House.

This will be a meeting held in conjunction with the APPG for Obesity and the British Lung Foundation. The meeting aims to discuss the impact of obesity on sleep apnoea and other related health issues within the sector.  

Any generously proportioned attendees found snoozing at this event will be subject to extreme application of the comfy pillow. 

You have been warned.

ORR sees the light?

This from the Office of Rail Regulation...

Network Rail commits to plans for Britain’s railways 2014-19

Network Rail has committed to deliver plans for a safer, higher performing and more efficient railway between 2014 and 2019, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) confirmed today.

As part of the multi-billion pound plan for Britain’s railways, initially published in October 2013, Network Rail will bring down the costs of running the railways by 20%, while delivering nine out of ten trains on time on regional, London and South East and Scottish routes, and improved reliability for long distance passenger services. Network Rail will also improve standards of infrastructure management, network resilience, and safety for passengers and railway workers. Over the next five years Network Rail will spend more than £38bn on maintaining, renewing and improving the rail network, which includes the delivery of a programme of enhancements worth more than £12bn.

These are challenges for the whole rail industry, not just Network Rail. Stretching targets and new incentives will get the industry working closer together for the communities they serve. The plans will be delivered from April 2014.

ORR Chief Executive Richard Price said:

“Network Rail has committed to the challenge of delivering exciting plans for Britain’s railways between 2014 and 2019. This new phase will see Network Rail enhance safety, increase capacity, and improve the performance and resilience of the rail network. Service standards will get better, as stations up and down the country are modernised and lines are electrified. Alongside this work, the company will also deliver more, pound-for-pound, than ever before, as it utilises new technology and better ways of working.

“We welcome Network Rail’s recognition that it will need to do things differently to fully deliver. This is a fresh start for the company and an opportunity - supported by significant levels of funding by governments and passengers, and working with the rest of the industry - to learn lessons and build on successes from the past. Meeting these challenges will be tough, particularly in the early years for punctuality in England and Wales because of recent performance levels. We will focus on ensuring the company, working with governments and the rest of the sector, delivers its plans to achieve long-term and sustainable improvements for customers and taxpayers.”

ENDS


Encouraging signs of pragmatism at the ORR on performance.

Now if DfT could take up the same tune...

Pointless signs - Reading