Privatising Network Rail
August 2010, Modern Railways

Privatisation of Network Rail would not be the same as resurrecting its predecessor Railtrack, and could raise significant revenues for the Government. Whilst those against privatisation are likely to repeat old warnings about the ability of a private company to provide a public service, an equity issue could raise £12 billion for the Government's coffers.

Tom Winsor, partner in the infrastructure and project finance group at White & Case, said: "If the coalition Government is serious when it speaks of ending Whitehall micromanagement and meddling in the railway, reversing its incremental renationalisation, and improving Network Rail's accountability, it should do this. The railway will be better for it, and the pain for the public in other areas could be greatly lessened."