Labour parliamentary candidate Nancy Platts has criticised Network Rail's plans  for cutting a third of rail maintenance and safety workers jobs in Sussex.

In a statement she said:
"Following the rail crashes at Potters Bar, Hatfield and Paddington, I thought the lessons of rail safety had been learned the hard way, but it seems not.  All three crashes were found to be caused by poor safety including poorly maintained points and signalling, a lack of timely track maintenance and inadequate maintenance records of railway assets.
 
"I worked for rail union, TSSA throughout this period and attended many meetings along with union leaders from RMT and Aslef where we received assurances that the safety of the travelling public and railway staff would be a priority.
 
"I joined RMT leafleting at Brighton station today because I am horrified to find out that despite receiving millions of pounds of public subsidy, Network Rail has 167 unfilled vacancies for staff that should be undertaking maintenance and renewal work.  They are proposing to remove these vacancies from the staffing establishment and cut another 44 jobs on top, across Sussex and Surrey , slashing safety staff by one third.
 
"This strategy is short-sighted and a false economy.  Network Rail is gambling with the safety of rail workers and passengers.  The impact on people injured in the previous crashes and their families must have been devastating and proof enough that we cannot afford to take risks with safety.  Passengers should be able to get on a train in the knowledge that the track and signals have been properly maintained, not worrying that is still on the ‘To Do’ list of Network Rail because they have decided to cut essential maintenance staff whilst paying their Chief Executive in excess of £1 million per year.
 
"I would also like to see the railways returned to public ownership. Train operating companies can simply be returned to public ownership at the end of their franchise at no cost to the taxpayer.
 
"The disastrous Conservative privatisation of the railway network should now be reversed. If elected I commit to campaign for this objective and for fares to be brought down so that the railway can realise its full potential in delivering a greener and more sustainable future."

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