Britain’s railways ‘not fit for purpose’ and ‘financially unsustainable’, transport secretary warns

Mark Harper outlines ‘fundamental reform’ for trains including setting up Great British Railways and simplifying fares

Britain’s railways are “not fit for purpose” and “financially unsustainable”, the transport secretary has said.

In the annual George Bradshaw Address in London on Tuesday, Mark Harper described the railways currently as “mired in industrial action” and “historically unable to deliver major improvements at good value for the taxpayer”.

Setting set out a programme of reform from industry structure to fares, he said: “I won’t mince my words: operating the railways is now financially unsustainable. And it isn’t fair to continue asking taxpayers to foot the bill. Many of whom don’t regularly use the railways, including plenty of my constituents in the Forest of Dean.