Earlier this week, Network Rail published their strategy for rail investment for 2019-2024, the so-called CP6. While it was clear Network Rail wanted the headlines to be about reducing delays, the hidden story was the move move away from big projects
In response, Andy McDonald, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, said:
“There’s no reason why we can’t invest to upgrade the rail network at the same time as maintaining and renewing it.”
Dare we say it – HS2.
We’ve said all along that the big risk with HS2 is that it will suck money from other investment in the rail industry: oh no, the supporters of HS2 have said, “HS2 money comes from a separate branch of the magic money tree, leaving plenty for Network Rail”. There’s still plenty of money for HS2, but none spare for electrification, or other more local projects.
The more sycophantic journals managed to drag out
The plan aims to reduce energy consumption by 18% and carbon emissions by 25%. NR also wants to reduce mental health absence among its employees by 30% and increase the number of women it employs by 50%.
It’s worth pointing out that HS2 won’t reduce carbon until after 2086 (if at all). And while, Stop HS2 fully supports increasing the number of women engineers, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that when HS2 Ltd’s woman CEO was replaced with a man, he earns six times what she did.
Breaking news on links to Derby.
More plans, more money, more examples of this ‘semi-developed’ plan having to change as it goes along.
Should HS2 rely to this extent on ‘making it up’ as it moves on?
ALL aboard?
If HS2 were a ship, it would surely sink under the weight of all those who want a ‘piece of the action’.
Shame they haven’t realised that this isn’t possible; the more stops, the slower . . . .
When money is short (as we are constantly being told it is) the sensible thing to do is to maintain what we have, mending and replacing as necessary.
Instead of which the Nation, at huge cost, is being ‘hooked’ to HS2, which may bring benefits at the terminals but not much to the areas between.
So far it is a story of destruction on an unprecedented scale, with promises that it will continue for a great number of years . . . .
Will it be worth it?
If you think not, please sign the petition.
Now there’s a surprise!