We'll make unions ditch out-dated practices and get trains running on time, says minister

NEW Transport Secretary Louise Haigh vowed today to “tackle the hard yards” on making unions abandon outdated working practices on Britain’s strikeplagued railways and get trains in London running on time.

- Nicholas Cecil

Speaking to the Evening Standard, she said commuters could expect to see improvements on services into the capital from the first half of next year as rail renationalisation starts to have an impact. In a wide-ranging interview, the Cabinet minister also:

● Hinted that the HS2 high-speed rail line from Birmingham will terminate at Euston rather than Old Oak Common, west London.

● Said Sadiq Khan and other mayors would get a “say” on new rail timetables in their areas.

● Stressed a third runway at Heathrow would “crucially” have to meet UK climate change commitments.

● Outlined how the Government is acting to stop so many e-bikes from exploding with battery safety laws.

The Aslef rail union, led by general secretary Mick Whelan, announced yesterday that train drivers had voted overwhelmingly to accept a pay offer, worth 15 per cent over three years, ending a two-year dispute at 16 rail companies. "This has brought the longest strike in our railways to an end and now we can tackle the hard yards on workforce reform and modernising our railways," said Ms Haigh.