BRITISH RAIL 1974-1997 by Prof. Dr. Terry Gourvish ( 9780199269099 )

Item Details

Title:

BRITISH RAIL 1974-1997
FROM INTEGRATION TO PRIVATISATION

By:

Prof. Dr. Terry Gourvish

Format:

Paperback

List price:

£100.00

Our price:

£87.50

Discount:

12.5% off

You save:

£12.50

ISBN 10:

0199269092

ISBN 13:

9780199269099

Availability:

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Publisher:

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

Pub. date:

29 January, 2004

Pages:

736

Description:

This book, written by Britain's leading railway historian, provides an authoritative account of the progress made by British Rail prior to privatisation and a unique insight into its difficult role in the government's privatisation planning from 1989. Based on privileged access to the British Railway Board's rich archives, Terry Gourvish presents a comprehensive analysis which traces the external pressures on British Rail and its own changing internal organizationbetween 1974 and 1997.

Synopsis:

Britain's privatised railways continure to provoke debate about the organisation, financing, and development of the railway system. This important book, written by Britain's leading railway historian, provides an authoritative account of the progress made by British Rail prior to privatisation, and a unique insight into its difficult role in the government's privatisation planning from 1989. Based on free access to the British Railway Board's rich archives, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of the main themes: a process of continuous organisational change; the existence of a persistent government audit; perennial investment restraints; the directive to reduce operating costs and improve productivity; a concern with financial performance, technological change, service quality, and the management of industrial relations; and the Board's ambiguous position as the Conservative government pressed home its privatisation programme.The introduction of sector management from 1982 and the 'Organising for Quality' initiative of the early 1990s, the Serpell Report on railway finances of 1983, the sale of the subsidiary businesses, the large-scale investment in the Channel Tunnel, and the obsession with safety which followed the Clapham accident of 1988, are all examined in depth. In the conclusion, the author reviews the successes and failures of the public sector, rehearses the arguments for and against integration in the railway industry, and contrasts what many have termed 'the golden age' of the mid-late 1980s, when the British Rail-government relationship was arguably at its most effective, with what has happened since 1994.

Illustrations:

32pp halftone pleates; numerous tables

Publication:

Imprint:

Oxford University Press

Returns:

Returnable

Some other items by this author:

AIR TRANSPORT (HB)

BRITAIN'S RAILWAY, 1997-2005 (HB)

BRITISH RAIL 1974-1997 (HB)

BRITISH RAILWAYS 1948-1973 (HB)