Strategic Rail Authority
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:Strategic Rail Authority logo.gif The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) was a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom set up to provide strategic direction for Britain's railway industry.
Following the passing of the Railways Act 2005 its business was wound up and its functions transferred to the Department for Transport Rail Group [1].
The Shadow Strategic Rail Authority was established following the election of the Labour government in 1997 in an attempt to re-regulate the fractured railway network following the privatisation of British Rail. It incorporated the former Conservative government's Office of Passenger Rail Franchising (OPRAF). The SRA was placed on a formal legal basis by the Transport Act 2000 and it ended its shadow existence on 1 February 2001.
The SRA operated under Directions and Guidance (D&G) from the Secretary of State for Transport. In Scotland it was also subject to D&G from the Scottish Minister for Transport, and is subject to D&G from the Mayor of London in respect of services operating within that city.
In Scotland the budget of the SRA was devolved to the Scottish Parliament under the terms of the Barnett Formula.
On July 15, 2004 the Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling, announced that the SRA was to be abolished within the next 12-18 months, with some functions transferred to the government, some to Network Rail. Devolved governments such as the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Greater London Authority were given some input in their areas.