Merseytravel is to step up its campaign to gain overall control of the Merseyrail Electrics network. The Authority’s Rail Services Committee has unanimously passed a resolution, which stated:

”Once again this organisation calls on Government to advance the Merseyrail system by opting for vertical integration and this matter be progressed as soon as possible for discussion with Government.” The move was prompted by the House of Commons Transport Committee report on rail franchising which stated: “We believe that vertical integration across the entire network, and in conjunction with the current franchising model, would be a retrograde step. But we also believe that vertical integration may have some merit in self-contained regions, such as Merseyside. We, therefore, recommend that Network Rail and the Government, with advice from the Office of Rail Regulation, design and carry out pilots of vertical integration on self-contained parts of the network, where a sound case for such pilots can be made. It is essential that Network Rail supports such pilots. We look to the ORR and the Government to ensure that pilots are encouraged and given the best possible conditions of success.”

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said: “Our record since taking over Merseyrail Electrics from the old Strategic Rail Authority speaks for itself. It has been transformed into one of the best systems in the country. “We have proved that in the case of Merseyrail Electrics local decisions made by local people leads to greater efficiency. We can enhance the performance of Merseyrail Electrics even further if we are given the powers of full local decision making.”

Under the proposals, Merseytravel proposes taking responsibility for track and signalling, current the responsibility of Network Rail, a move known as Vertical Integration or Full Local Decision Making.