TODAY Britain's railways are a step closer to being run by and for the nation. The announcement that Network Rail is taking all track maintenance in-house marks a subtle, long-term shift in control.

This process has been dubbed by some in the industry as "creeping renationalisation". Whatever it is called, this should be good news for the railways.

Passengers should be relieved by the knowledge that rail safety is being brought back under central control; confidence has been badly shaken by a number of high-profile incidents.

And rail workers will feel boosted by the move too. Morale has been low in the industry for far too long. Rail workers, who traditionally approach their work with pride and professionalism, will now feel there is a reason to be confident once more.

Such news has special resonance in this railway city. Jarvis is nationally based in York and Network Rail has its regional headquarters here.

Under the new arrangements, the non-profit-making Network Rail - which replaced Railtrack - will now have full responsibility for Britain's track maintenance.

This marks a big step away from the free-for-all that followed the privatisation of the industry introduced in 1996 during the dying days of the John Major administration. That privatised structure is gradually being unpicked.

Jarvis, the biggest contractor on the railways, had clearly sniffed something in the wind. Two weeks ago, the company announced it was pulling out of maintenance, citing poor financial returns and "reputational risks".

Today's news should delight travellers, rail unions and passengers' groups, who have long been concerned about rail safety.

Although the Government is behind bringing maintenance in-house, New Labour is likely to be nervous of the suggestion that Britain's railways are being renationalised.

Maybe they shouldn't be. After all, it could well prove a popular notion.

Updated: 12:07 Friday, October 24, 2003