ASSEMBLY PRESSES SRA ON VITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR SOUTH EAST RAIL NETWORK

"THE SOUTH EAST'S RAIL NETWORK IS THE POOREST IN THE UK and we must urgently have more investment to improve it." This was the South East England Regional Assembly's key message to Richard Bowker, SRA Chairman and Chief Executive at a recent Assembly meeting.

The Assembly pressed Mr Bowker on four of the most significant rail investments for the region:

• East-West Rail Link from Oxford to Milton Keynes.
• Great Western Line rail improvements from Paddington Station, including the upgrading of Reading Station.
• The South Coast rail improvements recommended by the Regional Assembly in its advice to Government on the South Coast Multi-Modal Study.
• Channel Tunnel Rail link domestic services in North and East Kent.

Cllr Nick Skellett, Chair of the Regional Assembly, said: "The Government has identified three key growth areas in the South East- the Thames Gateway, Ashford and the Milton Keynes and South Midlands areas. The Deputy Prime Minister has emphasised that these are areas of national importance. If we want the transport systems in each of these areas, and the region as a whole, to be effective, it is vital that the investment schemes the Assembly highlighted to the SRA today need to be given the funding they deserve.

"The SRA, however, does not currently include these schemes in its Ten Year Plan. We have urged Richard Bowker to reconsider and include them in the case for more funding which he will be making to Government in 2004."

In response, Richard Bowker said: "The SRA recognises that the South East has real problems with its rail network. This is the reason why we have invested heavily in improving the rolling stock and safety issues in the region. However, we cannot do everything. National priorities must take precedence and this is the reason why some regional priorities have not been included in our Ten Year Plan.

"However, the SRA does recognise that national priorities cannot be looked at in isolation. Thus we are committed to engaging more effectively with the Regional Assembly so that there is an improved level of dialogue on the SRA's plan and our policy advice to Government."

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007