They did replace the cables. Before the service the brakes were vitually unusable so there was considerable improvement after the tune up. When I went to collect the bike after the tune up there was a very expensive modern Bianchi in the shop, I said to the mechanic that it's interesting to see how they've changed over the last thirty years or so, he said 'go and squeeze those brakes' - I did, and found that there is certainly room for improvement on my current set up.

The crankset is Ofmega, there is no other identification, I don't think. The small ring has 42 teeth.

Thanks for the commuting tip.