With the completion of the rail privatisation programme, the private sector is accounting for an ever increasing share of rail investment. Several major schemes are planned for enhancing the UK's rail infrastructure, including the 3 billion Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the 650 million Thameslink 2000 project, the 400 million Heathrow Express project due for completion in 1998 and the West Coast Main Line upgrade to accommodate high speed, tilting trains. The newly franchised train operating companies have also committed themselves to investing an estimated 1.5 billion in new and refurbished trains. In addition, Railtrack plans to spend around 9.5 billion on the maintenance and renewal of its infrastructure to 2001, as outlined in Railtrack's recently published Network Management Statement. Since April 1994, a robust safety management system has been in place, with new regulations in force to ensure that standards of health and safety are maintained and, where necessary, improved.
Rail remains the safest form of surface transport.
The safety statistics show that the long term improvement in railway safety continued in 1995-96. HSE will continue its independent monitoring and investigation of railway safety to ensure that standards are maintained, and improved where necessary, and that commitments are met. The Department continues to provide grants to encourage the movement of freight by rail and inland waterway in order to maximise environmental benefits by removing lorries from roads. Freight Facilities Grants have been paid towards the capital cost of facilities for rail and inland waterway traffic for many years. The Railways Act 1993 introduced Track Access Grant to assist rail freight operators to meet Railtrack access charges.