Posted 4th March 2022 | 3 Comments

Transport for the North's high speed funding 'being cut'

Reports are claiming that funding for Transport for the North is set to be slashed, apparently as a result of TfN's criticism of the government's Integrated Rail Plan in November. There has been no official confirmation, but it is being said that although TfN had applied for £104.5 million to support the development of high speed rail over the coming year, it will receive only £1.5 million for 'analytical support'. Its core funding is also being reduced from £10 million to £6.5 million, and there are fears that redundancies will follow.

Driverless Underground trains may be back on agenda

A long term funding settlement for Transport for London may only be agreed if the Mayor reconsiders the idea of driverless trains, it has been reported. The idea has already been examined, but critics have pointed out that the infrastructure of driverless metros is designed for automatic working, while the Underground's deep tube lines could not be provided with necessary escape routes without very costly reconstruction.

Reader Comments:

Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.

  • Greg T, London

    All part of the "levelling-up" agenda of the untrustworthy liar in 10 Downing St ...
    Actually means bringing London down to the standard of the rest of the country, where nothing is done ....

  • Graham Wood, Swindon

    We are an overcrowded and over developed island, existing rail infrastructure is surrounded by buildings and structures. Changing the existing geography of the network impossible without causing enormous damage to the rest of the built environment. The costs would be simply astronomic. Tinkering with what we have is the only affordable option.

  • Hugh Gillies-Smith, South Milford

    Why am I not surprised that funding's being cut. TfN has done nothing to the east of Manchester. Token cosmetic work, that's all.