SAFETY AND AFFORDABILITY OF SOUTH WEST TRAINS' SERVICES

That this House is concerned that the announcement of South West Trains and Network Rail's alliance from 1 April 2012 raises the possibility of the effective takeover of rail infrastructure and signalling operations by a private train operating company; is further concerned this would end Network Rail's not for dividend status in the reigon and therefore reintroduce the profit motive into rail infrastructure and rail operations; believes that this could herald a return to the era of Railtrack, which was responsible for a number of fatal train crashes and was wound up after profit was put above safety; is also concerned that introducing the requirement to make a profit will mean that this higher cost is passed to passengers who will have to pay even higher fares; and urges the Government to ensure that safety and affordable fares are put before commerical considerations.