A few people have asked ‘so how is your campaign going?’ And the answer is – rather quietly.
Without clear guidance (and appropriate resource allocation) from central and local government, new transport infrastructure will not proceed.
The ‘Reverse Beeching’ initiative by the last government is now generally considered to have been a complete failure – with no projects that were not already under way moving forward. Available funding was insufficient and project selection criteria were arguably ill-defined.
The new government have not as yet brought any more clarity to national rail policy. At the time of writing there are still no senior appointments for ‘Great British Rail’, the organisation charged with reforming our rail system.
There is a lot of talk about the need for investment in EV charging points and incentives to encourage purchase of electric vehicles in the UK – but rather less about diversifying the transport system and moving away from high car dependence. Electric cars may solve some environmental problems – but not all of them. And that’s assuming you can afford one!
There were however some good news railway stories in 2024 – not least the reopening of the 18-mile-long ‘Northumberland Railway’ from Newcastle to Ashington (after 60 years of closure). It will have 7 new stations by the end of 2025 and is expected to carry 380,000 passengers a year by 2034.
It is worth noting that the project has been vigorously promoted for many years by the Northumberland County Council – something that we hope our own local authorities will note. Successful projects like this need commitment from all levels of government.
There has been criticism of the eventual cost of £300 million (original estimate £160 million). But compare that to some recent road projects. The proposed ‘West Winch Housing Access Road’ south of King’s Lynn, is already costed at £110 million for 1.5 miles of new road (including alterations to the A47) and that is before a contractor has been appointed. The Norwich Western Link Road (3.9 miles) is now expected to cost £400 million (if it proceeds). One new road junction on the A63 in Hull is already expected to cost £350 million (work has presently ceased). The 14-mile Lower Thames road crossing was touted at a cost of £9 billion (!) – presently ‘on hold’.
Looking at the new year ahead there are some positive signs. After years of strikes there appear to be improvements in industrial relations in the rail industry; A new ‘Rail Reform Bill’ is due for publication by the government; and, the new Cambridge South station is due to open in the latter part of the year – hopefully ending disruption for our line to London!
And in 2025, railway travel will be 200 years old! The first ever railway journey took place on 27th September 1825 on the Stockton-Darlington railway. Certainly, something to celebrate!
