Current problems reflect decisions taken in the past on investment levels and management structures. Are we now making better decisions, or are we continuing to build even greater problems for the future of London and the South East? Even for London, and certainly for local authorities in surrounding regions, their ability to use rail effectively may be constrained by current decision structures. The major expansion of railways serving capital cities in mainland Europe may offer clearer indicators for what we might be doing.

This conference, now in its seventh year, will address these issues. It will consider the potential implications of the expected statutory changes, and take stock of the views of operators, of Transport for London, and of regional bodies and local authorities. It will assess the role for railways in sustainable development and provide an update on the region's major rail investment projects and their potential effects. A review of railway development in Stockholm will offer an interesting comparison.

Speakers include:

Jim Steer, Managing Director, Strategic Planning, SRA; Andrew Chivers, Managing Director, Londonlines; Peter Field, Director, London Rail Development, Transport for London; Tony Grayling, Associate Director, Sustainability, Institute for Public Policy Research; George Burnett, Head of Local Transport Plan Group, Surrey County Council; Bertil Hylen, Researcher, Rail & Public Transport, Swedish National Road & Transport Research Institute; Barry Louth, Regional Transport Officer, East of England Regional Assembly; Charles Devereux, Rail Interface Manager, Cross London Rail Links; Chris Stokes, Director, Superlink; Lord Tony Berkeley, Chairman, Rail Freight Group; Richard Malins, Consultant; Roland Niblett, Director, Colin Buchanan & Partners.

Chairs: Adrian Lyons, Director General, The Railway Forum & Dr. Jan Hellings, Director, Jan Hellings Associates Ltd/ Director, BURA.