The decision by the UK Government to put the electrification of the line to Swansea ‘on hold’ is hugely disappointing. The Government’s argument that “it needs to decide whether to replace the intercity fleet with electric trains, or electric-diesel hybrids beforehand” looks like a classic case of putting the cart before the horse.
The fact that the rolling stock needs replacement is not new, nor is it a surprise. Part of the justification for doing the electrification as early as possible should surely have been to enable the purchase of electric rolling stock, which would be faster, cheaper, more reliable, and environmentally preferable. Taking the decision as to which trains to buy first looks like committing us to another 40 years of diesel operation.
Having said that, I’m not convinced about the sincerity of Labour’s response either. It is increasingly clear that the ‘immediate’ start to preparatory work promised by Gordon Brown never actually happened, and in that context, it is hard to argue that his announcement was not a rather cynical pre-election ploy.
And, hand on heart, how many can people honestly and truly say that they are convinced that a CSR undertaken by a Labour Government would not have reached a similar conclusion? After all, the difference in the total level of cuts proposed wasn’t that great.
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5 comments:
Ah! – How cruel and fickle political world can be.
At this year’s Plaid Cymru Conference, Iron Whine Jones was introduced as the man that will get the Great Iron Electrical Horse to Swansea, how they clapped, how they cheered and now he has gone from hero to zero.
Eternal vigilance is always recommended when dealing with “professional politicians” of whatever ilk, but the lesson here to all those who gave their adulation at Conference is, never believe the chatter in the Servants Hall reality always comes from the Master’s lips.
Spirit,
Perhaps a little unfair there. IWJ did what he could to take a proposal from the UK Government to electrify the line to Bristol, and persuade them to add the extra miles to Swansea. He probably - and reasonably at the time - assumed that Brown's government was being honest in committing to an immediate start on preparation work.
Your last sentence defines perfectly the difference between, armatures and professionals.
Spirit,
Of course. A professional is a true expert, whilst an armature is just a part of an electric motor...
We were talking about electrification ,were we not!!!
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