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Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Times
How to make Great British Railways a success
Before Labour ministers choose slick slogans for their new state-run trains they should recall Henry Ford's words: 'Nothing happens until somebody sells something.' Contrary to what some in the rail sector and Whitehall seem to think, rail services cannot exist without their passengers — what they want and what they are prepared to pay. A herculean effort to win more customers from the airlines and road users is essential. Britain's railways are at a watershed. Under privatisation, passenger journeys almost doubled. By the 2010s, private franchises were running three times as many trains between London and Manchester as the old British Rail (BR) had in the early 1990s. During the two decades between privatisation and the pandemic, passenger journeys increased by 107 per cent and services by 32 per cent. Passenger satisfaction in Britain was higher than for any other major European railway. Revenue increased by 145 per cent in real terms, compared with only a 16 per cent rise in operating costs, and £14 billion of private investment went into improving the train fleet. • Ministers heading for union clash in bid for hi-tech rail travel Privatisation introduced innovations in marketing, ticketing and operational efficiency. The volume of rail travel in Britain rose to a level not seen since the 1930s, on a network half the size and with a very good safety record. The pandemic was devastating for rail. It wasn't just that train travel collapsed during the lockdowns, requiring subsidies of £20.5 billion in 2023-24 prices) to cover losses. People's travel and working behaviour changed, probably for ever. Traditional flows of revenue from business travel, first class and five-day commuter season tickets, particularly in London and the southeast, have fallen away. In the year to March only 13 per cent of journeys were made using season tickets, compared with 34 per cent before the pandemic. Even though passenger numbers are close to 100 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, revenue is still down by £1.4 billion, at 89.1 per cent. Passengers are paying less to travel outside the old peaks. The taxpayer continues to cover an unacceptably high annual subsidy of £12 billion for a sector that only delivers 2 per cent of all journeys taken by the public. Consequently, ministers must now prioritise growth as they prepare to introduce the bill to create the state-owned Great British Railways (GBR), almost 80 years after Clement Attlee first nationalised rail. Without a ruthless focus on what passengers want alongside a demand-led model, a spiral of decline — higher subsidy and fares — could easily take root. GBR risks being a solution in search of a problem and morphing into the ghost of BR unless ministers develop a viable long-term vision. New research from the Centre for Policy Studies highlights four key areas which, if supported, would deliver more passengers, more income and better services for passengers. • Great British Railways 'won't be run by civil servants' First, ministers should support a mixed model across the intercity high-speed network so GBR trains faces competition from non-subsidised 'open access' operators. For 25 years this model has successfully delivered passenger growth and satisfaction on the East Coast Main Line between London, the northeast and Scotland. It has meant better services, more routes, faster trains and cheaper tickets while also bringing more passengers to the route. This has led to new, popular rail operators entering the market, which has pushed the dominant, government-run train operator, LNER, to deliver better services for its customers. European railways that have copied this successful model have seen a 40 per cent increase in passengers and fare reductions of between 20 and 60 per cent. Second, GBR should not regulate itself, especially as the white paper proposes taking key sector powers away from the independent Office of Rail and Road. In no other regulated sector does the dominant market operator also control and deliver key elements of its own regulation, such as decisions on market access and charging. This could have huge implications for growth, open access and more rail freight. Only last week the environment secretary slammed the water companies for 'marking their own homework' and pledged to end 'operator self-monitoring'. But there is a risk that this will become the case on the railways. Third, GBR must adopt an unforgiving focus on making train travel as easy, cheap and user-friendly as possible, not least when designing a new GBR ticketing app to replace those of existing train companies. In addition to competing with popular ticketing sites it must be designed by the world's leading retail software companies rather than civil servants. GBR should deliver a 'Rail Miles' loyalty scheme, which is years overdue and could be linked with purchases made in the hospitality and retail sectors. • The Times View: Prejudice against private train operators is misguided Fourth, the vast 52,000-hectare railway estate can and must generate much more income. Commercial and residential development, renewable energy generation, light parcel freight, health hubs at stations alongside a higher-quality retail offer are all underused sources of income. We must learn from countries such as Japan, where railways earn at least one third of their revenue from non-ticket sources. Rail can and must be at the centre of Britain's industrial, employment, housing and regeneration strategies. The ghost of BR hangs over GBR. But if the passenger is put first and proven models are embraced then the future could be very different. Rail might not get another chance. Tony Lodge is a research fellow at the Centre for Policy Studies and author of Rail's Last Chance, published today by the CPS
Sydney Morning Herald
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Private or public, our care sector needs a health check
Unusually, I partially agree with Parnell Palme McGuinness (' If broke, nationalise? Fix that idea ', July 13). I think, however, that you have to look at why the government runs a service. The main reason is that the private sector can't be trusted to provide the required service at a reasonable cost. It may need government subsidies, but the government is uncertain whether these subsidies will be used properly or end up reflected in the bottom line. On the other side of the equation, private operators who cannot turn a profit want their business bought out by the government. Northern Beaches Hospital is the latest. The only thing we can be sure about is that the pendulum reached the end of the swing to the private side, and is now swinging the other way. Neville Turbit, Russell Lea Parnell Palme McGuinness writes that if any system is broke, there is talk of 'nationalising it', and she cites childcare and education as recent examples. Nationalising, with all its negative connotations is an emotive and wrong term. The term should be 'unprivatise'. The simple fact is that when profits are involved then profiteers will make use of the opportunity. This may work in commercial enterprises, but when we are talking of precious children in their formative years and social services it is a different matter. Regularly I read of countries such as Sweden, Norway and Denmark, where prioritising investment by government, and therefore taxpayers, ensures outstanding quality and affordability. The flow-on benefits for whole of society are obvious and can be enumerated. As a country, we need to decide what is important to all of us and invest. Our country's future rests on these decisions. Tatiana Podmore, Cremorne Parnell McGuinness should acknowledge that commercial childcare, aged care, power generated, and private colleges are inherently conflicted. She should also look at Margaret Thatcher's disastrous privatisation of Thames Water and British Rail. Tony Simons, Balmain Childcare guilt The mother-blame phenomenon that has resulted after the shocking abuse allegations in early childhood learning centres is a disappointing indictment on our communities (' The Care Fracture ', July 13). Young working mothers, already overcommitted with work, home and childhood-rearing responsibilities must now feel the continued fear and guilt piled on that their child may be harmed while in 'care'. The reasons for returning to work are many and varied and should be solely the family's decision. Families should be commended for their efforts and safeguards put in place by authorities. Above all, guilt should not be applied to mothers. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer Sound barrier The article on hearing loss is one of courage in adversity (' 'I didn't catch that': The trouble with hearing loss in a noisy world ', July 13). For Beethoven, increasing deafness was a tragedy, but he composed some of his finest music as his malady worsened. After conducting the first performance of one of his greatest works, he had to be turned to face the audience to become aware of their enthusiastic acclamation. We must be grateful today that he did not allow such a handicap to deprive us of his genius. Nola Tucker, Kiama An excellent article, but I would have liked a little discussion on the use of bluetooth technology. I have mild hearing loss and via bluetooth I can pair my phone and my hearing aids, and not only adjust my earbuds via my phone but get everything on my phone radio, podcasts, all sounds direct to my ears. Bliss for me and bliss for my neighbours, as only I can hear my sounds. Somewhat more expensive, but highly recommended. John Crowe, Cherrybrook No piece of cake
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Stockwell Six final member has name cleared over infamous robbery
Ronald De Souza finally has his conviction quashed after being fitted up more than 50 Years ago aged just 17 by the now notorious corrupt and racist police officer Derek Ridgewell A man wrongfully convicted of the attempted robbery of a corrupt and racist detective more than 50 years ago has finally been cleared. Ronald De Souza was 17 when he was arrested with five friends by the now notorious police officer Derek Ridgewell in 1972. Mr De Souza had his conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal on Thursday after his case was referred to them by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. He was detained for six months following a case investigated by British Transport Police. Mr De Souza, who along with his co-defendants, became known as Stockwell Six, were accused of trying to rob Ridgewell while on a tube train travelling from Brixon, South London. They were jailed despite telling jurors that officers had lied and subjected them to violence and threats. In his ruling on Thursday, Lord Justice Holroyde said that Mr De Souza, who did not attend court, "bore the burden of his wrongful conviction throughout his adult life". "We regret this court cannot put right all that he has suffered over more than half a century; however we can and do allow his appeal and quash his convictions," he said. The Mirror revealed last week that police are investigating former colleagues of Ridgewell who may have helped him to frame innocent members of the public. It comes after the convictions of Mr De Souza's co-defendants Paul Green, Courtney Harriot, Cleveland Davidson and Texo Johnson were quashed in 2021. The sixth member of the so-called Stockwell Six, Everet Mullins, was acquitted because it was shown that his reading ability was not good enough for him to have understood his signed statement, which was written for him by Ridgewell. Another of Ridgewell's victims, former British Rail worker Errol Campbell, had his conviction overturned posthumously at the same court. Mr Campbell, who died in 2004, had his convictions for theft and conspiracy to steal from a goods depot in South London quashed at the High Court on Thursday. In a statement read out by his solicitor, Matt Foot, Mr Campbell's son, Errol Campbell Jr, said: "The British Transport Police knew that Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell was corrupt, and they let him carry on regardless with what he was doing. My dad always said he was innocent, and today, that's finally been confirmed, almost 50 years later. "He came to England in the Windrush generation and worked for years for British Rail. The conviction caused absolute misery to my dad and our family. Due to the shame and disgrace of this conviction, he found it difficult to get employment, so much so that he fled the country. On his return, he became an alcoholic and couldn't hold down a lollipop man's job. "I'm angry that Ridgewell is not alive for this day and that he never went to prison for all the people he fitted up. He never answered for his crimes. I am Errol Campbell's first son. I look like him. Before this, he was a great family man and looked after us as children, and he was dapper. He was a good man." Campbell's father was found guilty in April 1977 and sentenced to a total of 18 months' imprisonment at the Old Bailey in relation to thefts from the Bricklayers Arms Goods Depot, where he was a British Rail employee. The case against him was led by British Transport Police officer Ridgewell. Giving his judgment on Thursday, Lord Justice Holroyde, sitting with Mr Justice Butcher and Mr Justice Wall, said that it was with "regret" that the court could not undo Mr Campbell's suffering. He added: "We can however, and do, allow the appeal brought on his behalf, and quash his conviction. We hope that will at least bring some comfort to Mr Campbell's family who survive." DS Ridgewell led the case against Mr Campbell and several others, but along with colleagues DC Douglas Ellis and DC Alan Keeling, later pleaded guilty to stealing from the same goods depot. Mr Campbell unsuccessfully appealed his conviction in 1978. His son submitted an application Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) in September 2024, with the help of the charity APPEAL. Following a review, the CCRC found there was a real possibility that, like the convictions of 11 other people that have been referred to the court, Mr Campbell's conviction would be quashed, and it referred the conviction in February 2025. In August 2023 the CCRC referred the convictions of Mr Campbell's co-defendants, Saliah Mehmet and Basil Peterkin, after it tracked down their family members. The convictions were both quashed in January 2024. In 1980, Ridgewell, Ellis and Keeling pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal from the Bricklayers' Arms Depot. Ridgewell died in prison aged 37 before he had completed his sentence. In a previous judgment, the court found that their criminal activities between January 1977 and April 1978 resulted in the loss from the depot of goods to the value of about £364,000 "an enormous sum of money at that time".
ITV News
17-07-2025
- ITV News
Man framed by corrupt police officer for stealing from South London rail depot has name cleared
A man who was jailed after being framed by a corrupt police officer's evidence has had his name cleared posthumously at the Court of Appeal. Errol Campbell, who died in 2004, had his conviction for theft and conspiracy to steal from a goods depot in South London quashed at the London court today. He was found guilty in April 1977 and sentenced to a total of 18 months' in prison, at the Old Bailey, following thefts from the Bricklayers Arms Goods Depot, where he was a British Rail employee. The case against him was led by the discredited British Transport Police officer DS Derek Ridgewell. Giving his judgment on Thursday, Lord Justice Holroyde, sitting with Mr Justice Butcher and Mr Justice Wall, said that it was with 'regret' that the court could not undo Mr Campbell's suffering. He added: 'We can however, and do, allow the appeal brought on his behalf, and quash his conviction. 'We hope that will at least bring some comfort to Mr Campbell's family who survive.' DS Ridgewell led the case against Mr Campbell and several others, but along with colleagues DC Douglas Ellis and DC Alan Keeling, later admitted stealing from the same goods depot. Mr Campbell unsuccessfully appealed his conviction in 1978. His son submitted an application Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) in September 2024, with the help of the charity APPEAL. Following a review, the CCRC found there was a real possibility that, like the convictions of 11 other people that have been referred to the court, Mr Campbell's conviction would be quashed, and it referred the conviction in February 2025. In a statement read out by his solicitor, Matt Foot, Errol Campbell Jr, the son of Errol Campbell, said: "The British Transport Police knew that Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell was corrupt, and they let him carry on regardless with what he was doing. "My dad always said he was innocent, and today, that's finally been confirmed, almost 50 years later. "He came to England in the Windrush generation and worked for years for British Rail. The conviction caused absolute misery to my dad and our family. "Due to the shame and disgrace of this conviction, he found it difficult to get employment, so much so that he fled the country. "On his return, he became an alcoholic and couldn't hold down a lollipop man's job. "I'm angry that Ridgewell is not alive for this day and that he never went to prison for all the people he fitted up. He never answered for his crimes. "He was a great family man and looked after us as children, and he was dapper. He was a good man." In August 2023 the CCRC referred the convictions of Mr Campbell's co-defendants, Saliah Mehmet and Basil Peterkin, after it tracked down their family members. The convictions were both quashed in January 2024. In 1980, Ridgewell, Ellis and Keeling pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal from the Bricklayers' Arms Depot. Ridgewell died in prison before he had completed his sentence. In a previous judgment, the court found that their criminal activities between January 1977 and April 1978 resulted in the loss from the depot of goods to the value of about £364,000 'an enormous sum of money at that time'.
The Herald Scotland
17-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Excuse me, what platform for the Bangladesh express?
After 18 months in the desert his company rewarded him with a contract in Bangladesh. He was scheduled to fly from Heathrow to Dhaka on January 3, 1979. But that New Year Glasgow Airport was closed due to heavy snow. On January 2 he phoned British Rail to check trains were running. He was informed that there was an overnight to London. So he asked when the next train left from his home in Saltcoats to Glasgow Central. Answer: "Ten minutes." Bert and wife jumped in the car and sped to the station, just in time to see the train arrive. Our hero grabbed his bags while his wife ran on the platform, yelling at the guard: "Don't let the train leave. My husband's going to Bangladesh!" Back came the inevitable reply: "No on this train, hen. Glasgow Central's as faur as this train's going." Just as Bert boarded, the guard announced: "This is the 18:46 train to Glasgow Central, calling at Kilwinning, Johnstone High, Paisley Gilmour Street, and terminating at Glasgow Central. Change at Glasgow Central for all stations to Bangladesh." Mind your language We're discussing how autocorrect is often auto-incorrect. Andrew Foster from Cambridge, Ontario, says there are even worse technological advances. 'The minutes of a meeting I attended were sent out almost exactly as produced by a voice-to-text program,' says Andrew. 'This process is, I believe, known as 'encraption', ie, the unintended irreversible conversion of good, clear data into impenetrable gobbledegook.' Cool idea Scotland was bathed in warm weather… until the monsoon season began this week. Helen Cameron was in a café with her 10-year-old daughter when a perspiring lady whipped out a Japanese fan and wafted herself with it. 'What's that, mum?' asked Helen's daughter. 'Old style air-conditioning,' said Helen. Norman Bolton from Newton Mearns spent several years in London and frequently saw this car parked close to Eaton Square, Belgravia. Since then, the registration has been transferred to a Rolls Royce. 'But I suspect,' says Norman, 'the owner's attitude is much the same…' (Image: Contributed) Wingin' it On social media someone shares a photo of the life-size aeroplane hanging in Kelvingrove Museum, along with the following message: 'I genuinely think that every public space can only be improved by having a Spitfire suspended from the ceiling.' Brought to book The Diary mentioned a schoolchild confused by classic beatnik novel On The Road. Dan Millar worked in a Glasgow bookshop where a customer requested 'that book by the guy who sounds like a singin' machine. Y'know, hingmy Karaoke.' Of course he meant Jack Kerouac. Liquid solution Boozy Linda Anderson says: 'Tequila might not solve all your problems, but it's worth a shot.'
