[stripping A serious programme of nodernisation involving mass…]

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stripping A serious programme of nodernisation involving mass electrification and the systematic introduction of the APT on Inter-City routes would start to attract back arge numbers of passengers who now use private cars.

The basis is there for a massive job creation programme.

The 2,000 diesels built for BR between 1956 and 1963 will be worn out by the mid1980s. So, leading economists estimate that "BR will need up to 100 locos a year in the medium term." How many locos were built last year? A paltry 16!

Thus, whilst every other major country is increasing investment, building more locos, carriages, and track, the UK is going in the opposite direction.

The Financial Times said recently: "Rail transport in the 1980s is forecast to remain one of the few high growth areas for industrial investment in the non-comRAILWAY IN 1980 USA). name but three countries. In contrast, the UK contribution to the total was derisory:

INVESTMENT (OUTSIDE THE millions West Germa 1,129 South Afric 785 France 740 Nigeria 534 Italy 476 Belgium 389 India 370 Spain 355 Britain 310 This diabolical starvation of funds has led to the collapse of rail freight traffic to an all-time low.

The percentage share of freight carried by train has declined from 42% in 1953 to 12% in 1979.

In tonnage terms, BR carried freight dropped from 25 billion kilometre tonnes in 1965 to 19.9 billion kilometre tonnes in 1978.

Construct any you like on wor in any aspect and you'll find the bottom.

British Rail losing passenger alarming rate.

CHANGE TRAFFIC USSR Denmark Italy Belgium France West Germany Britain A recent report that came out in support of railways stated:

* Less than half of former rail users switch to buses after lines are closed.

*That figure drops to third after a short time.

*Only one in three continues to use the main line network after their branch line is closed.

league table d investment of railways, Britain is at 1S rapidly traffic at an IN PASSENGER 1967-1979 Change % +83% +77% +72% +53% +40% +28% report says. Indeed, passenger services have been cut by nearly a third.

"Inconvenience and hardship has been caused to many people." Car ownership also increased as a direct result of the closures - thus increasing road congestion and accidents. Now it's the same fight in British Rail processing of redundancy programmes, yet the rail network has seen no new investment.

The Tories still refuse move on electrification.

ANDREW WIARD (REPORT)

Last year, £2.5 billion in untaxed profits, interest and dividends was exported by multi-national companies operating in the North Sea oilfields. And is only one that example.

How can Tory tion be blocked?

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