AN encouraging signal that the era of run-down on our railways is moving into reverse comes today with the announcement that former giant ABB carriage works at York, which closed 18 months ago with the loss of 700 jobs, is to re-open - and re-employ the skills of 500 workers.

But it is not simply on the employment front that this is welcome.

For the works' revitalised output of 250 freight wagons a year suggests that not only is privatisation of the railways bringing new investment, but is also spearheading a drive to more more cargo from our congested roads on to the tracks.

That is a "green" development we must all welcome - a long-neglected jigsaw piece in the still-incomplete integrated transport system that the country needs.

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