Passengers already facing rapidly rising fares could rebel against the high costs of heated rails, says Passenger Focus
Commuters forced to endure inflation-busting fare increases could rebel against a multimillion-pound proposal to snowproof the railways if it means even more expensive tickets for years to come, the rail users' watchdog has warned.
In the first signs of a public backlash against plans for a spending spree to make the network more robust in winter, the head of Passenger Focus said travellers might prefer a few days of disruption to being saddled for years with the cost of a network overhaul.
A government-commissioned report into this month's snow chaos has recommended radical changes to the power supply on commuter routes in southern England after sub-zero temperatures paralysed the infrastructure.
Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, said rail users should be consulted. "We need to ensure that the costs don't pile up," he said.
"Passengers need to be asked about the balance of the cost of doing this weather-proofing of the railways, against the bill that will increasingly fall on rail users. Someone needs to ask what passengers want on this, not just government and industry."
The owner of Britain's rail infrastructure, Network Rail, has warned that the changes could be expensive. Trains in southern England rely on the "third rail", which transmits electricity to trains via a shoe that descends from carriages but is fragile in freezing weather.
One of the cheapest remedies, currently being tested by Network Rail, involves heating the rail. But so far only ten miles of track in south England have been modified, with more than 2,500 miles still to be covered. Replacing the third rail with overhead lines is the most expensive option, costing around �800,000 a mile.
Smith added: "Would you rather have two or three days of disruption or would you rather pay 10% more for your ticket to ensure it does not happen again? Heating the third rail is going to cost a fortune."
In a report on the transport industry's response to this month's snow, David Quarmby, chairman of the RAC Foundation, said much of the network had coped "admirably" but there were lessons to be learned. Those included urging government-backed Network Rail to investigate replacing or adapting the third rail system in Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Acknowledging that his recommendations could be expensive, he said: "I do believe that when the numbers are done that there will be a case for reconfiguring the third rail network."
Given the shifting economics of the rail industry, farepayers are likely to pick up much of the tab. The industry's main sources of funding are a government grant of �5bn per year, state-backed debt and �6bn of fare income. Above-inflation fare increases, including some of 10% or more, are expected until at least 2015 as the government seeks to ensure rail users provide three-quarters of industry funding while the state grant is cut.
The third rail debate will also be complicated by a row over whether three successive harsh winters are a coincidence or evidence of a permanent side-effect of global warming. In his report, Quarmby said the Met Office remained convinced that the last severe cold snap was an isolated occurence.
"We cannot say this is an annual event," said Quarmby, who said last winter's cold snap probably cost the economy around �1.5bn. Nonetheless, Quarmby said the financial impact could persuade ministers and local councils to invest in snowploughs and extra salt stocks.
Rail industry sources have also warned that a report into cutting costs in the rail industry, being led by Sir Roy McNulty, former chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, could undermine future responses to snow-clogged tracks, signals and stations. "Repairing signals in the middle of nowhere needs staff to be stationed close by. A tough efficiency drive could cut those staff who are not often needed but that would leave customers frequently stranded for hours," said one source.
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