Railways under Theresa May administration

[AM9]

Oh... Didn't you get the memo?

No, but I saw the bus on television and all those nice politicians kept saying that they would do that. They wouldn't lie would they? hock:

 

[Philip Phlopp]

I'd quite like to keep Patrick McLoughlin, thanks very much.

If not, could you find an MP with an engineering background please. Alec Shelbrooke has a BEng I believe, so he would be a nice alternative if so inclined.

 

[Mikey C]

If anything I'd expect MORE infrastructure spending now. The problem on the railways, certainly in terms of electrification though, is the lack of engineering resources

The more interesting decision (and off topic for this thread) is the Heathrow 3rd runway...

 

[Carlisle]

You say that, but I am pretty sure the commuters of Sussex/Surrey/South London etc would have something to say about the current debacle on GTR, and that may rate in the 5-10 range of their list of priorities....

My mum, dad and sister (not rail enthusiasts, daily Southern users) put the blame squarely on the Government, y.

Their frustration is understandable however anyone who's followed that subject on this forum will be well aware its far more complex than only blaming the government

 

[Philip Phlopp]

The more interesting decision (and off topic for this thread) is the Heathrow 3rd runway...

I disagree profoundly - rail is going to dictate where the additional London runway is built.

To my mind, direct rail access to Heathrow from the various destinations west of the airport could well be critical in approving the third runway, making the Western Rail Access to Heathrow the linchpin on which the third runway could well depend upon. I also tend to think WRATH is a bit underwhelming, it could do more than just allow trains from Reading and Maidenhead - Oxford and even the odd service from Bristol and Cardiff could be serving the airport.

The potential for North Downs Line electrification to provide a Heathrow-Gatwick Express rail service could be very important too and probably shouldn't be underestimated.

The third runway (or Gatwick's second runway) being approved is going to be almost entirely dependent on improving public transport links and discouraging people from driving to all of London's airports; whoever eventually approves additional airport capacity has to be able to say that thanks to changes in transport policy, there will be more electric trains, fewer cars, less traffic gridlock, less road/rail noise and lower travel times, even with more air traffic and passengers, emissions will still be coming down.

 

[miami]

I also tend to think WRATH is a bit underwhelming, it could do more than just allow trains from Reading and Maidenhead - Oxford and even the odd service from Bristol and Cardiff could be serving the airport.

A fast service from Birmingham New Street, calling Airport, Oxford, Reading, Heathrow, would be a great benefit for those coming from the north too. Birmingham->Heathrow in under 2 hours.

 

[Bald Rick]

A fast service from Birmingham New Street, calling Airport, Oxford, Reading, Heathrow, would be a great benefit for those coming from the north too. Birmingham->Heathrow in under 2 hours.

But post HS2, Birmingham to Heathrow will be an hour, even allowing for the change at OOC.

 

[edwin_m]

But post HS2, Birmingham to Heathrow will be an hour, even allowing for the change at OOC.

Yes, I think it would be better to link it to East West Rail. Heathrow to Reading, Oxford, MK and maybe Bedford would serve a wide area of the country which doesn't have good airport access at present and wouldn't benefit from HS2.

On topic, I hope McLaughlin stays in post. Not only does he seem to be better than most of his predecessors, having almost anyone staying for a reasonable period is better than changing every year or so. Up until he arrived, part of the job description for Transport Secretary appeared to be to expect to be transported somewhere else at any time.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I'd quite like to keep Patrick McLoughlin, thanks very much.

He's becoming Conservative Party Chairman, so definitely moving.
Was Chief Whip at one time (trying to keep the "*******s" [who are now in power, of course] in order.

 

[Bald Rick]

Yes, I think it would be better to link it to East West Rail. Heathrow to Reading, Oxford, MK and maybe Bedford would serve a wide area of the country which doesn't have good airport access at present and wouldn't benefit from HS2.

On topic, I hope McLaughlin stays in post. Not only does he seem to be better than most of his predecessors, having almost anyone staying for a reasonable period is better than changing every year or so. Up until he arrived, part of the job description for Transport Secretary appeared to be to expect to be transported somewhere else at any time.

It would be an awfully long way round from Bedford.

Meanwhile - your hope re SoS was badly timed.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

He's becoming Conservative Party Chairman, so definitely moving.
Was Chief Whip at one time (trying to keep the "*******s" [who are now in power, of course] in order.

No Secretary of State for Transport as there's now no Department for Transport...

 

[Morgsie]

Transport looks like it is part of an Infrastructure Dept

 

[Mojo]

No Secretary of State for Transport as there's now no Department for Transport...

Yep; they are talking now on the Daily Politics that the position might be abolished to set up a new department for infrastructure.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Yep; they are talking now on the Daily Politics that the position might be abolished to set up a new department for infrastructure.

Could be good. Could be awful. Ho hum.

 

[NSEFAN]

they are talking now on the Daily Politics that the position might be abolished to set up a new department for infrastructure.

I suppose some joined-up thinking for infrastructure wouldn't be so bad. What good is a new electric railway if there's not the electricity readily available to power it?

 

[quantinghome]

Attempts at "joined up thinking" have come unstuck before - e.g. DETR, BTC way back when. Need to be clear where responsibility lies and have an overall strategy to work to...

 

[WatcherZero]

It looks like Jeremy Hunt was offered transport but refused to move upsetting Villiers who had been promised Health.

 

[miami]

It looks like Jeremy Hunt was offered transport but refused to move upsetting Villiers who had been promised Health.

Refused to move like a GTR train?

 

[me123]

A narrow escape for transport/infrastructure/whatever then, perhaps? "I'm imposing DOO!" would have gone down very well in railway circles.

 

[Dave1987]

I'd quite like to keep Patrick McLoughlin, thanks very much.

If not, could you find an MP with an engineering background please. Alec Shelbrooke has a BEng I believe, so he would be a nice alternative if so inclined.

McLoughlin is a fool, and the DFT have presided over some pretty ridiculous and extremely expensive decisions while he has been in charge of the department. I'm glad he has gone.

 

[deltic]

McLoughlin is a fool, and the DFT have presided over some pretty ridiculous and extremely expensive decisions while he has been in charge of the department. I'm glad he has gone.

such as?

 

[Philip Phlopp]

such as?

I'll give you precisely one guess whilst you await your Informative and Educational Post from Dave1987.

 

[DarloRich]

It looks like Jeremy Hunt was offered transport but refused to move upsetting Villiers who had been promised Health.

way to destroy any industrial relations!

McLoughlin is a fool, and the DFT have presided over some pretty ridiculous and extremely expensive decisions while he has been in charge of the department. I'm glad he has gone.

Seems harsh. Much as I loathe a Tory he seems to have had a through brief and grasp of his portfolio

 

[L+Y]

I'd quite like to keep Patrick McLoughlin, thanks very much.

If not, could you find an MP with an engineering background please. Alec Shelbrooke has a BEng I believe, so he would be a nice alternative if so inclined.

I know Shelbrooke very well. He'd be delighted by such an appointment.

 

[DarloRich]

I'll give you precisely one guess whilst you await your Informative and Educational Post from Dave1987.

Dont tease!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I know Shelbrooke very well...

Is it Shelbrooke then? I spoke to him on Saturday and he was very pro May

 

[L+Y]

Is it Shelbrooke then? I spoke to him on Saturday and he was very pro May

Not heard anything yet, it's not expected that any more junior appointments be made until the weekend. He's been a supporter of Mrs May's for a long time, though.

 

[Dave1987]

I'll give you precisely one guess whilst you await your Informative and Educational Post from Dave1987.

It's not just that one project though! There are numerous. Look at the London Bridge enhancements. As was put to me by someone who knows a lot about all that stuff, they are trying to put a gallon into a pint pot and expect it to work. He has one franchise that is in total meltdown and all he does is decide to move the goalposts a bit and then blame the rest on the unions. Made a complete horlicks of the GEML franchise. Electrification schemes 'paused' and then 'unpaused' after the political turmoil it caused. Very very glad he has gone.

 

[HH]

He seems to be a bit of a bumbler, who relies too heavily on his civil servants.

 

[Morgsie]

Chris Grayling apparently is the new Transport Secretary

 

[Johnuk123]

Chris Grayling apparently is the new Transport Secretary

I think he's not an HS2 fan.