ABSTRACT
The previous chapter was concerned with the development of rail privatisation as Government policy. The decision taken, after much deliberation and delay, involved fragmenting BR into on some estimates around 100 separate businesses. They were then to be privatised through a phased sale and franchising process, with most of the disposals expected to be concluded ahead of the next General Election. The track authority, Railtrack, was to remain in the public sector until the next Parliament, but as events developed the Government changed the decision and Railtrack was privatised in 1996. This left BR as a rump public corporation with outstanding obligations under the Channel Tunnel usage agreement and claims for injuries from former employees, management of the British Transport Police and ownership of some residual properties, including disused railway embankments.
