Yes, but December of which year? I note that, depressingly, this thread was started in June 2012, six years ago, barring a month. Progress has hardly been spectacular has it?
Indeed. Me being naïve thought:
" Fair enough, Farnworth Tunnel is a huge obstacle and barrier -get that done and it will be plain sailing".
How long ago was Farnworth Tunnel complete - amazingly slow progress. Balfour-Beatty, Carillon, running sand, old mine workings etc.
I really am starting to understand how politicians feel. Frustrating.
Will NR learn from these mistakes. The electrification program is in what - its 9th year now? So you would hope they would be up to speed by now.[/QUOTE]
What saddens me is that, for all the fine talk of a much improved rail service, during all the time that the work has been progressing (in a very desultory way, I might add) the poor fare paying public have been subject to bus replacement services, short formed trains, cancellations due to staff shortages (which is frankly inexcusable) cancellations brought about by staff being delayed in reaching their signing on point, (because of cancelled trains, I imagine) weekend closures, delayed engineering works, some because of insolvency, some because of the contractor walking away. Not least are the unforeseen circumstances; mining subsidence for example. What? In Lancashire? Who would have thought it?
Now we have some feeble excuse from Arriva Northern that crew training is using up resources to the extent that they don't seem to be able to maintain a half decent service anywhere. In my opinion, Arriva should lose their franchise and shouldn't be allowed near a railway line again for the next 50 years.
Finally, don't let us forget that the strikes by RMT which might, in other circumstances be seen as an irritating inconvenience are really the last straw in one long sad, sorry saga.
It really shouldn't come as a surprise that Mr & Mrs Joe Public regard the whole enterprise as a total shambles
