RECORD MONEY; Train boost is just the ticket.

Rail companies are set to install a new pounds 25million national computer booking system.

The move is in response to a stream of complaints about lengthy delays and wrong information being given out.

The Rail Journey Information System will start operating next April in parts of Britain.

It will cover the whole country by next September.

It replaces the current National Rail Enquiries Service, which is funded by the major railway owners.

The new scheme was announced by Chris Tibbets, managing director of Virgin Rail, at a meeting of rail consumer groups in Glasgow.

He pledged the new system would make rail journeys easier for passengers.

Tibbets said the new database system would give phone operators access to all the relevant information needed.

He went on: "At present we acknowledge that there is a problem .

"We are taking action to make sure the service meets the targets of answering calls.

"The RJIS system will also give customers instant access to any information they need, whether it is in person at a travel office, on the telephone or internet.

"The system will also carry information about buses connecting with trains so we can give customers whatever help they need to get where they want to go."

Lawrence Kemp, vice chairman of the Scottish Rail Users Consultative Committee, had earlier described the current system as a mess.

He said: "The lines are frequently engaged or not being answered at all, and if you do get through you end up getting the wrong information."

Tibbets added that Virgin trains' time- keeping problem had been improved and that in May 87 per cent of London to Scotland trains were on time, as compared with 82 per cent in March.

He said: "Our objective now is to keep the time-keeping at high rates until we get new trains in 2002."

DIY sales are a World Cup loser 

THE World Cup and a poor summer have hit sales at the DIY group Wickes, it was revealed yesterday.

But the company said they still did more business than in the same period last year, and their trading performance for the half-year to June 30 would meet expectations.

Earlier this year, Wickes warned shareholders that they expected a slowdown in the market after a strong start.

But in their statement yesterday the company said that sales - excluding those generated by extra space employed over the period - were 5.1 per cent ahead during the six months.

This increase was achieved despite a strong performance in 1997, when the home improvements market was boosted by building society windfalls.

Chief executive Bill Grimsey said: "Like-for-like sales for the first and second quarters were 5.9 per cent and 4.6 per cent ahead respectively."

Sainsbury on target

SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury are upbeat about their prospects, despite a slowdown in High Street spending.

Chairman Lord Sains-bury told the company's annual meeting yesterday that the group was trading in a highly- competitive market.

But he added: "We expect that we will achieve further solid progress in the year ahead in all the group businesses."