The outcome of December’s general election, with a stable government for the first time in over two years, will determine the policy framework for the rail industry for some time, although many aspects are still unclear – much will emerge over the next few months. Specifically, as write this, publication of the Williams Review is expected shortly, together with publication of the Oakervee Review on HS2 and then Government’s decision on the future of the project.
Predicting what will happen is ‘courageous’ in Yes, Minister speak, and some of this may look silly when it appears in print. However, it is a safe bet that ministers will strain every sinew to bring forward improvements to the network in the Midlands and the North, if at all possible delivering new services on reopened routes before the next election. Obvious examples are the Newcastle – Ashington route and the Camp Hill line in Birmingham.
It should also be possible to deliver electrification of some busy regional commuter routes before the next election, for example Leeds – Harrogate and Manchester – Warrington Central – Liverpool. In both cases the complicated city centre infrastructure is already electrified, and these ‘quick win’ scheme…
