A CAMPAIGN calling on the Government to make sure the country’s railways are in full public ownership has been supported by Newton Abbot MP Martin Wrigley.

He was among more than 40 Westminster MPs, rail experts and campaigners who came together to discuss the future of the railways.

Campaign group We Own It was promoting ‘Passengers not profit: A Vision for the Railways Bill’. This comprehensive report calls on the Labour government to make sure full public ownership is the final destination of their rail reforms.

The report outlines reforms the authors believe would ensure that the government’s upcoming Railways Bill delivers the quality of rail services passengers are hoping for.

According to Cat Hobbs, Director of public ownership campaign group, We Own It, who coordinated the report, ‘Without the right implementation and package of broader reforms, the results could disappoint passengers.

‘Public ownership must be a clear success, and it must be seen as such.’

Emily Sullivan, co-founder of the Association of British Commuters, said: ‘The government is planning to continue with the same competition-based framework we had under privatisation, which will severely restrict socioeconomic benefits and the value of public money.

‘The only way to achieve an integrated railway is the repeal of all competition clauses from rail legislation and the removal of the competition function of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and the role of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

‘The ORR must be reformed as a fully ‘public interest’ regulator, responsible for only: safety, accessibility, passenger rights, rail performance and socioeconomic value.’

Meanwhile, Mr Wrigley is continuing his campaign to fund the final phase of the project to secure the future of the line between Dawlish and Teignmouth.

He stressed: ‘This final phase is vital to protect not only our railway, but the communities and businesses beyond Dawlish and down into Cornwall.’