
ALT An A4 letter headed “Rail Summit” from Dave Calfe, ASLEF General Secretary, to Prime Minister Andy Burnham. It welcomes his planned rail summit. The letter says Great British Railways could reduce fragmentation, improve coordination and keep the railway focused on public benefit, but argues that further changes are needed after years of underinvestment. ASLEF raises four issues for discussion. It calls for public ownership of trains, saying leasing companies took £2.9 billion from the railway in profits and dividends over five years. It seeks investment in rail freight infrastructure, a more level playing field with road freight and government action to protect freight capacity amid the sale of DB Cargo. It asks the industry to ensure drivers have reasonable time to use toilet and hygiene facilities during work. It also calls for a maximum temperature in train cabs, citing recorded temperatures of 40–50°C. The letter closes by saying ASLEF looks forward to joining the summit.

































