Geoff Inskip, Director General of Centro takes the lead for pteg on rail issues:

'The major challenge for the railways in the years ahead is to deal with rapid growth in passenger numbers. We therefore welcome the emphasis in the White Paper on increasing capacity and tackling bottlenecks.

We will continue to make the case to Government that in expanding rail capacity we need to get the balance right between spending on the South East and spending on the next tier of major urban rail networks - which are currently growing faster than any other sector of the passenger railway.

We look forward to working with Government to develop plans and projects to deliver the enhanced urban rail networks that are so vital to the continuing sustainable growth of city region economies.'

For more contact Jonathan Bray on 0781 804 1485