WHO WILL PAY FOR £8 BILLION BLACK HOLE IN THE RAILWAYS? - THURSO

Commenting on the announcement by the rail regulator that the UK's rail network needs an extra £8bn of public money over the next five years to maintain services, John Thurso MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, said:

"The rail regulator has done the travelling public a great service by forcing the Government to come clean and admit what every rail passenger knows - Britain's railways need more money.

"Since privatisation the rail network has been under-invested and over-regulated. Scarce money has been wasted on consultants and managers, while passengers continue to suffer.

"Now the public deserves to know who will be paying for this £8 billion black hole.

"Alastair Darling and Gordon Brown must look at alternative funding options, such as bonds, which will not pass the burden to the taxpayer."