new Government

[387star]

Hey any ideas on new Government policy to the railways or is it too early?

Only Conservatives were talking about longer franchises a year or two ago... and this would be a good thing. They also discusses track and train joint ownership?

 

[John @ home]

Hey any ideas on new Government policy to the railways or is it too early?

Only Conservatives were talking about longer franchises a year or two ago... and this would be a good thing. They also discusses track and train joint ownership?

"The parties agree to implement a full programme of measures to fulfil our joint ambitions for a low carbon and eco-friendly economy, including: ...

• The establishment of a high-speed rail network.
• The cancellation of the third runway at Heathrow.
• The refusal of additional runways at Gatwick and Stansted.
• The replacement of the Air Passenger Duty with a per flight duty."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8677933.stm

 

[dk1]

"The parties agree to implement a full programme of measures to fulfil our joint ambitions for a low carbon and eco-friendly economy, including: ...

• The establishment of a high-speed rail network.
• The cancellation of the third runway at Heathrow.
• The refusal of additional runways at Gatwick and Stansted.
• The replacement of the Air Passenger Duty with a per flight duty."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8677933.stm

Sounding pretty good to me so far. Lets wait & listen for news of electrification & Crossrail.

 

[northwichcat]

Thameslink and electrification is of critical importance as well as the government cancelled a proposed 200 diesel vehicles order in favour of electrifying new lines in the North West and South West and cascading refurbished 319s to those areas. In the end it was expected to be 2015 (opposed to 2013) before any cascaded EMUs reach the North West and extra vehicles are needed now.

 

[43021HST]

As network rail is Nationalised I wonder whats going to happen to it?
I wonder if there is going to be any investment in smaller lines instead of all these wild mainline schemes.

 

[swt_passenger]

As network rail is Nationalised...

Network Rail is NOT nationalised, so don't worry... :roll:

 

[Old Timer]

Network Rail is NOT nationalised, so don't worry... :roll:

Not strictly correct.

To all intents and purposes Network Rail is a Company that answers to the Government through its Government appointed oversight Board.

NR itself cannot do as it wishes without seeking authority from HM Treasury who set the amount of money that NR can seek and invest.

It is a typical Labour scenario whereby the true relationship is hidden behind a series of smoke and mirrors in an effort to deceive. As far as everyone in the financial markets are concerned NR is nationalised in all but name.

 

[WillPS]

Well, Network Rail is owned by the British Government so it might as well be.

My concern is that rolling stock just isn't on the agenda. The Pacers need to be replaced within the next 5 years, and the 150s are also going to need attention by then as well. It's been a long time since any stock was actually replaced; this needs addressing.

 

[Old Hill Bank]

Hey any ideas on new Government policy to the railways or is it too early?

Only Conservatives were talking about longer franchises a year or two ago... and this would be a good thing. They also discusses track and train joint ownership?

You should have considered this before the election, not afterwards!!!!!!

 

[silentone]

The Tories planned to introduce longer franchises with greater flexibility, so less would be specified in the agreement in return for more innovative thinking.

Sounds good, but if these sort of agreements existed during this recession we could all have been looking at far more severe cuts and job losses.

 

[RobShipway]

Well, Network Rail is owned by the British Government so it might as well be.

My concern is that rolling stock just isn't on the agenda. The Pacers need to be replaced within the next 5 years, and the 150s are also going to need attention by then as well. It's been a long time since any stock was actually replaced; this needs addressing.

With the Government making £6billion cuts this year, I would not count on the pacers being replaced, however I would lik eto think that maybe extra class 172 trains could maybe be ordered by the Government or have Siemens build their lighter version of the class 185.

 

[Geezertronic]

The Tories planned to introduce longer franchises with greater flexibility, so less would be specified in the agreement in return for more innovative thinking.

Sounds good, but if these sort of agreements existed during this recession we could all have been looking at far more severe cuts and job losses.

Did Chiltern have to make cuts and job losses?

 

[387star]

I would never vote Conservative lol. I'm 20 but have heard some terrible things ie 'no such thing as society' iron lady rhetoric. Ideally trains would be nationalised... but f we are to have a privatised industry then I have to support the Conservatives.. however it's easier said than done

 

[JonD]

With the Government making £6billion cuts this year, I would not count on the pacers being replaced,

But does the government actually pay for these replacements, or does it just set the wheels in motion for others to finance (given that the government isn't going to end up wanting to *own* these trains)

I've got another thread of just this topic because I'm thoroughly stumped by all this "government investment in rolling stock" talk...

Jon