Justine Greening, new Transport Secretary...

[Schnellzug]

Is anyone sugegsting scrapping them? Besides, for all the money that's been spent on them by successive operators, they're still a bit of a disappointment, aren't they, let's be honest.

But this isn't about locos, it's about politicians.


Actually, I suppose many of the same comments apply ...

 

[HST Power]

Well I was only going upon what I read, which was brief. I will probably see the headline properly tommorow; the RAIL website has no confirmation of this story (I checked). If it is significant I will do a thread, simplez.

 

[yorksrob]

Farewell Mr Hammond.

I must admit, I hadn't quite made up my mind about the chap but I was definately erring on the side of a safeish pair of hands who appreciated the importance of the railway to the country rather than a slash'n burner.

Now we have a new face to try and suss out. Let's hope she's not a Marples.

 

[EM2]

I'm still convinced that they got their Hammonds mixed up, and put Phillip into Transport instead of Stephen...

 

[Schnellzug]

Farewell Mr Hammond.

I must admit, I hadn't quite made up my mind about the chap but I was definately erring on the side of a safeish pair of hands who appreciated the importance of the railway to the country rather than a slash'n burner.

Now we have a new face to try and suss out. Let's hope she's not a Marples.

What, let's hope she doesn't wear tweeds and live in a picturescque village where a mysterious amount of violent crime takes place? I hope so too.

 

[trentside]

I must say, despite initial reservations, I think Phillip Hammond has done a reasonable job as transport secretary. As others have said, it appears that he has fought his corner and protected the railways from some of the cuts that have been made to other areas. It's a shame the DfT haven't been so proactive in protecting the interests of other forms of public transport.

As for Justine Greening, according to her page on theyworkforyou.com the DfT has been one of the departments she's put the most questions to.

 

[yorksrob]

What, let's hope she doesn't wear tweeds and live in a picturescque village where a mysterious amount of violent crime takes place? I hope so too.

Well, that would be a better grounding for the home office

 

[swt_passenger]

Wait what?

They are 20 years old..... are they planning to cascade them somewhere?
Seems a bit wasteful.

Thay aren't 'planning' to replace them. They are considering a number of options to improve their fleet reliability - total replacement is almost certainly the least likely solution.

 

[WatcherZero]

Seems to be an interest in Airline taxation and allowances, as mentioned above she was a Heathrow resister.

 

[tbtc]

I'm still convinced that they got their Hammonds mixed up, and put Phillip into Transport instead of Stephen...

... or Richard?

 

[IanXC]

Why do they always have to swap everybody around every time of them resigns?

Because generally, after one of them has made a fool of themselves, the Prime Minster prefers to put someone who has a track record into the vacancy, so as not to make a fool of himself too.

As for Justine Greening, according to her page on theyworkforyou.com the DfT has been one of the departments she's put the most questions to.

This is a good sign!

I hope that she has the courage to look at IEP with a fresh pair of eyes and scrap at least the bi-mode version.

 

[the sniper]

All Line - NO transport secretray LIKES railways. That is why they get the job, they then cant have any ideas of thier own! I mean next you will be saying that the chancellor should understand finance and economics rather than be the best mate of the PM! :roll:

I think it's safe to say that Lord Adonis liked railways.

 

[185]

Lot of time for Andrew Adonis, one of the true anoraks in the industry with good enough knowledge to run the department, much better than any calculator wielding Byers or Hammonds.

I don't think Hammond was all bad. He showed true honesty in saying (accidentally) that rail is unaffordable and a rich man's toy.

This new one is a total unknown.
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/justine_greening/putney#votingrecord
In the middle-y, I'd say.

 

[yorksrob]

He showed true honesty in saying (accidentally) that rail is unaffordable and a rich man's toy.

Honest in his beliefs perhaps, but misguided in that rail is neither.

 

[Zoe]

Honest in his beliefs perhaps, but misguided in that rail is neither.

For many intercity journeys though rail is unaffordable if you can't book in advance. This policy encourages car travel for anyone that wants flexibility.

 

[Morgsie]

When Philip Hammond was a favourite to replace Liam Fox, I thought Theressa Villers (Rail Mnister) will get Transport Secretary.

On the issue Of Philip Hammond's record as Transport Secretary, Okay job and I agree with many on here.

 

[yorksrob]

For many intercity journeys though rail is unaffordable if you can't book in advance. This policy encourages car travel for anyone that wants flexibility.

Absolutely true of course - but it's still wrong to suggest that rail as a whole is a rich man's toy. The local trains in my area carry a wide range of income groups.

Plus air travellers tend to have to book in advance and face restrictions as to what flight they catch, particularly if they want a cheap deal - yet you don't hear anyone calling that a "rich mans toy".

 

[Zoe]

Plus air travellers tend to have to book in advance and face restrictions as to what flight they catch, particularly if they want a cheap deal - yet you don't hear anyone calling that a "rich mans toy".

The difference with air is that with a few exceptions you've always had to book in advance. For trains it's not that many years ago when you could just turn up at the station and get on an off peak train without having to pay through the roof.

 

[yorksrob]

The difference with air is that with a few exceptions you've always had to book in advance. For trains it's not that many years ago when you could just turn up at the station and get on an off peak train without having to pay through the roof.

Again, absolutely true - I just don't think it does justice to the railway as a whole to call it a "rich mans toy". It performs a vital social function to a wide cross-section of society and it makes me uneasy when those who should know better claim otherwise because it gives comfort to a certain strand of political thought that doesn't believe that railways deserve any kind of subsidy at all (this strand of thought tends to fixate on motor-transport as the great liberating force of the working class - even though large numbers can't afford to run a car).

I'm not for a moment suggesting that Mr Hammond himself holds this view - rather it seemed to be an unfortunate choice of argument to illustrate his point.

 

[185]

For many intercity journeys though rail is unaffordable if you can't book in advance. This policy encourages car travel for anyone that wants flexibility.

Correct.

Off to London today from Manchester?
VIRGIN:
Price by train, 2 adults £150
TEXACO:
Price by car, 2 adults £50

 

[Philip Elliott]

I think it's safe to say that Lord Adonis liked railways.

No, he likes fast trains. He spent more time worrying about being able to buy a coffee at Southampton station after 8pm than whether many station have any services after 8pm. The £50m station improvement fund was to provide additional retail and car parking space:roll:

 

[Barn]

Again, absolutely true - I just don't think it does justice to the railway as a whole to call it a "rich mans toy". It performs a vital social function to a wide cross-section of society and it makes me uneasy when those who should know better claim otherwise because it gives comfort to a certain strand of political thought that doesn't believe that railways deserve any kind of subsidy at all (this strand of thought tends to fixate on motor-transport as the great liberating force of the working class - even though large numbers can't afford to run a car).

I'm not for a moment suggesting that Mr Hammond himself holds this view - rather it seemed to be an unfortunate choice of argument to illustrate his point.

Because he was saying it as a criticism, not as a statement of his own philosophy towards the railway, I think it was probably more helpful than harmful, if anything.

 

[tbtc]

Because he was saying it as a criticism, not as a statement of his own philosophy towards the railway, I think it was probably more helpful than harmful, if anything.

I'd agree with you there - I found it interesting to see a Tory criticise something for being a "rich man's toy" - it showed that he was interested in "normal people" too (if that doesn't sound patronising...)

 

[jon0844]

Yes, I hardly think he said it to encourage the railway to suddenly go first-class only and up the fares to keep the 'commoners' off.

It was the opposite; an admission that rail is too expensive for some. Walk-up fares are too much, countered by very cheap advanced tickets. This works for air, but I have never been convinced that the model works well for rail.

I don't generally plan to fly somewhere at short notice, but I can wake up on a Saturday morning (like today) and see the sun and think 'let's go somewhere nice'. In most cases, the car will win the feasibility test.

 

[HST Power]

Thay aren't 'planning' to replace them. They are considering a number of options to improve their fleet reliability - total replacement is almost certainly the least likely solution.

I for one would be very sorry to see the 91 go.

 

[shinkansen1966]

Absolutely no surprise that Philip Hammond would have moved on by the end of 2011. Based on churn rates for transport ministers, I'll give Ms Greening until the end of 2013 at most.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Has Justine Greening ever made any contributions to debates in the House on rail-related matters that might give an idea of her views on rail transport matters? I know that party lines are "toed" but the way that she might have phrased her comments could be interesting.

 

[317 forever]

Justine Greening may have been the first MPs I remember from the class of 05 from Election Night. It was the first time for many years that Putney had elected an Opposition MP.

 

[Schnellzug]

Has Justine Greening ever made any contributions to debates in the House on rail-related matters that might give an idea of her views on rail transport matters? I know that party lines are "toed" but the way that she might have phrased her comments could be interesting.

i very much doubt she'll be in office long enough for whatever personal views she may have to have any effect on anything. Same with all of them. Anyway, any personal opinions any Minister may have are always subordinate to the party policy, aren't they.

Assuming that the party does have a policy in any given field, of course.

 

[dggar]

.........At least she's from the "up and coming" faction rather than the "out to grass" one.........
.

As far as I can ever remember the Transport brief has always been given to one or the other of these options.