Posted 27th October 2010 | 6 Comments
Hammond names some reprieved rail schemes
Platform extensions on Thameslink, but no news of new trains to use them
THE transport secretary Philip Hammond has named some more rail schemes which have survived the budget cuts. However, his list makes no mention of several key projects, such as new rolling stock for Thameslink.
Fresh doubt has also appeared about the prospects for the Midland Metro extension.
Mr Hammond's statement to Parliament was more concerned with road schemes. In addition, councils have been invited to bid for a share of a £600 million pot for local transport projects, although they are also being ‘challenged’ to fund such projects from their own resources if they can.
Mr Hammond named two rail schemes for which funding will be provided in January, but only after the sponsoring authorities have provided a ‘best and final’ submission. The schemes are the extension to Midland Metro, which was also named in the Chancellor’s Comprehensive Spending Review last week, and a new southern entrance to Leeds station.
Other schemes which will have to compete for a share in the £600m pot include the Croxley Rail Link in Hertfordshire, which would extend the Metropolitan Line to Watford Junction.
The extension to Midland Metro through Birmingham city centre, which was apparently approved in the Chancellor’s Comprehensive Spending Review last week, now appears to depend on the successful provision of a ‘best and final offer’ from Centro. Assuming that this is accepted, funding would be provided in January.
As this statement was mainly concerned with road schemes, the industry is still uncertain about the prospects for Intercity Express, rolling stock for Thameslink and other routes, and main line electrification.
It had been rumoured recently that the Midland Main Line had taken over from Great Western as the main line most likely to be electrified next.
There was some accompanying good news from Network Rail, which believes that the Swindon-Kemble redoubling can still go ahead, although it will be seeking to cut some costs.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Phil Jones, London, European Union
If Peter Hammond can't afford about 45 million pounds for 12 miles of second track (Swindon-Kemble) that would bring large improvements to the whole west of the U.K. (including S Wales), how can he even begin to talk about 33 billion pounds for saving 20 minutes on the London-Birmingham route?? Totally ludicrous! He doesn't see how hypocritical his support for HS2 seems to those trying for about 0.1% of that money to significantly help rail travel from London to Gloucester and Cheltenham. And what about the 20 billion pounds for Crossrail! The man is all for the big items, but doesn't care about the rail lines that are important to the average person.
Patrick, London, England
Bring back Lord Adonis!
Hugh Collins, Cheltenham, England
If there's a silver lining at least we'll keep noisy engines in locomotives rather than under floors and so away from passengers for a few more years on Great Western. Long live the HST!
Morris, Guildford
Midland Metro ‘best and final offer’ from Centro.
Does that mean "we'll pay for the capital expenditure, but there will be no money to make it work after it's built".That what it effectively meant when they built the original system.
peter wilson, cheltenham
lets hope the swindon to kemble redoubling does happen soon ,if we cant afford to redouble a 12 mile section of track then we really are in trouble! 5 transport ministers have said it is needed but still nothing !
H. Harvey, Birmingham
As I implied in earlier correspondence the news for rail is not good and Hammond (why does the Government field him to represent them on current affairs programmes on treasury issues!!!) and Pickles are definitely do not favour rail.
In fact rail has whereas got a dribble of good news (for the capital anyway) with piles of bad news. In contrast roads have piles of good news amongst a spattering of bad news. Thus far anyway.
There is something sadistic about the man as he seems to smile when announcing bad news.
Lets hope I am wrong about our new Transport Secretary only time will tell.