The Sunday Telegraph this morning previewed Conservative plans to put representatives of passengers on the board of Network Rail and allow the
rail regulator to deprive executives of bonuses in the case of poor performances.
Theresa Villiers has now released the following further details of the proposals:
Reforming Network Rail
- We will create a supervisory board for Network Rail by reducing the size of the existing membership body to 10 to 20 people, with a stronger voice for passengers and train operators.
- The supervisory board will have the power to hold Network Rail’s management to account, including setting the overall strategy for the company and the power to approve and remove senior executives.
- The majority of the board will be made up of independent members (with a strong background in business) and passenger representatives. The remaining members will be drawn from within the rail industry and include representatives of Open Access, Freight and Passenger Train Operators.
- The board will be appointed independently of Network Rail’s senior management.
Ensure Network Rail targets are representative of operators’ needs.
- We will work with the regulator to ensure that the targets
and requirements set by the regulator are demanding and match the
concerns of train operators and passengers as closely as possible.
Veto on Senior Executives’ bonuses.
- We will give the regulator enhanced powers to block bonuses
to senior executives in the event of serious persistent failure, or
failure to respond effectively to new tougher requirements for
passenger satisfaction.
- Last year, despite the shambles of the New Year engineering
overruns, Network Rail senior executives took home £835,000 in bonuses
and the only sanction faced by the company was a fine which was paid by
the taxpayer. The net result of the fining process was £14 million less
spent on the railways.
Innovation in delivering rail improvements.
- We will free up funding for smaller scale capacity
improvements, currently dealt with by Network Rail to competitive bids
from other providers, including train operating companies, local
authorities and Community Rail Partnerships.
- This will provide better value for money and provide a useful
benchmark for Network Rail’s work. It will also help ensure that these
smaller schemes – which can make such a difference to the quality of
life for commuters – are carried out efficiently and in response to
passenger demand.