Minister reply to question/Wrexham double track

[merlodlliw]

This is a reply from the WAG Minister for railways in Wales to a question I asked my local A.M to ask, this is due to Network Rail running over 9 months late with grip three. The double tracking on the most strategic single track line in North Wales, appears doomed .However The Minister as been pushed into making a reply in November.

The reply may interest a few of you







WRITTEN ASSEMBLY QUESTION
FOR ANSWER BY THE MINISTER FOR
THE ECONOMY AND TRANSPORT
ON 21 OCTOBER 2010

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Is the Strategic Capital Investment Fund (SCIF) funding for the double track between Wrexham and Saltney open-ended i.e. available until the project is completed, or is there a deadline for using the funding. (WAQ56614)

Ieuan Wyn Jones: SCIF allocations are for the period 2008-09 to 2010-11. Capital budgets for future years will be considered after the Spending Review outcome is known and will be set out in the Assembly Government's Draft Budget on 17 November.

 

[The Planner]

I'll trot out the same answer as ever. No one at the WAG has said to NR that this is finished, the work is still going on with the option design.

 

[merlodlliw]

I'll trot out the same answer as ever. No one at the WAG has said to NR that this is finished, the work is still going on with the option design.

With all due respect Planner, with Network Rail nine months late in delivery , it look very much like no work is going on at NR with this project, why the delay, some one off sick?

 

[The Planner]

I can't tell you the answer to that but believe me, the blame isnt all in NRs court.

 

[merlodlliw]

I can't tell you the answer to that but believe me, the blame isnt all in NRs court.

Thanks Planner, about time we up here got this sorted once and for all,like last month if the line is shut between Salop & Crewe and then a failure between Wrexham & Saltney single track, chaos.

Anyhow we will keep the pressure on WAG, but I suspect November may well put paid to it, along with the Aber/Salop hourly?, insiders tell me the extra path for Gerald mark two, wont be taken up by a loco hauled, if at all.

BTW is the advance timetable for ATW Dec to May 2011 available anywhere yet, with only 6 to 7 weeks to go.

 

[The Planner]

May 11 doesnt get offered by us until mid-November.

 

[merlodlliw]

May 11 doesnt get offered by us until mid-November.

I must have put it wrong, I meant Dec 2010 to May 2011, any news on this,It goes to the printers in two weeks.

 

[The Planner]

Considering its been attacked on the weekends for STP amendments for a while, it should all be on the online journey planners.

 

[merlodlliw]

Considering its been attacked on the weekends for STP amendments for a while, it should all be on the online journey planners.

thanks Planner.

M