Fine words that conceal a two-year delay

IN THE DAYS when cinema films ran continuously one would sit watching until a familiar scene appeared, then leave with the words, 'This is where I came in.' So it is with today's vastly over-hyped 116 page document from the Strategic Rail Authority. Emblazoned with the words, 'The strategic plan', it sets out the Government's 10-year programme to improve the national network.

This is the plan - which like the trains is running late, in this case four months late - on which rebuilding the decrepit system, aptly described by minister Peter Hain last week as the 'worst in Europe', is being based. There are lots of fine words setting out the way forward for the creation of a railway of which we can all be proud.

Unfortunately, I have read them all before. The first time was 18 months ago when it was said by John Prescott, before Tony Blair got fed up with him pontificating about the railways and not actually doing anything and shifted him into a vacant siding.

It tells us that all old slam door trains will be phased out by the end of 2004. We knew that. The Train Protection and Warning System - which links a train's brakes automatically with the signals - will be installed by the end of next year. We knew that too. And the fact that CrossRail, the grandiose plans for a new twin-bore tunnel through London has been put - again - on the back burner. By now it must have slipped down the back of the stove.

What is new is that commuters won't be told to pay high increases in fares to pay for improvements until after they are installed, instead of before as the passenger train companies wanted. That is genuine good news and means commuter fares won't rocket when current regulation on increases ends next year. The catch, of course, is that this idea is only being 'considered'.

Mr Prescott, launching the 10-year plan for the first time, said then that it represented 'an investment in the future to create prosperity. Together we can go forward with confidence to transform transport in our country over the coming decade'.

Quite, and the next train to come along - late and with only four carriages instead of the scheduled 12 - had wings and with 'Danish' written all along one side. As a Connex commuter I didn't believe him then any more than I do Richard Bowker, who today publishes his 10-year plan, the sequel. Actually, it's much the same plan apart from a few added knobs and buttons.

Now we Connex commuters are a cynical bunch. We have had lots of time to hone our skills waiting on platforms for services which don't arrive, or when they do they are so crowded we cannot get on.

The document promotes the £33.5bn of taxpayer funds which will be spent during the decade. Last week, with the Government spin machine in full whirl (where was Jo Moore?) it was reported that Stephen Byers, the Transport Secretary, had secured an additional £4.5bn in funding for the railways. Except, there is no 'new' money. The extra had all been announced before at various intervals since the first 10-year plan was unveiled.

Unfortunately, even at £33.5bn that is only half the story. As the 10-year plan, Mk 1, proclaimed spending on the railways during this time will be £60bn, plus the £4.5bn.

The other £30bn or so, is due to come from the private sector - at least, from that part which has not been scared off by Stephen Byers forcing Railtrack into administration.

As Sir Alastair Morton, former SRA chairman, said before he resigned the post last month, who 'in the present mood' would want to risk investing in the railways? He also queried how much of the Government's share would actually be spent on rail improvements with a lot of the money going on subsidies, operating costs, maintenance and safety. 'If you then do not get that other 50% that is supposed to come from the private sector you aren't very far forward,' he said.

Mr Bowker says in the report's foreword that the SRA is now saying, 'enough is enough'. We, as commuters, have been proclaiming that for years and it hasn't got us very far.