In July 2000, the Government published Transport 2010, its ten-year plan to improve Britain's transport. This article reviews the proposals to improve the railway system, and examines their likely effects on investment by the railway companies and on passenger safety. The plan is analysed in the...

Books reviewed in this article: Andrew Hinde, England's population S. H. Rigby (ed.), A companion to Britain in the later middle ages Michael Snodin and John Styles, Design and the decorative arts Alexandra Shepard, Meanings of manhood in early modern England Steven King and Alannah Tomkins...

In March 2006, the Rail Regulator made a controversial decision to award open access rights to a new train operator on the east coast route. A 10-year franchise had been granted to GNER on this route in 2005 on the assumption that there would not be competition from open access operators. This...