Overall there seems to be a lot of untidiness and uncertainty in the government’s transport policy. Perhaps they could smarten up their act.
Last week we it was announced First Group have been selected for West Coast Main Line contract, replacing Virgin. Opponents to High Speed Rail, HS2, are still making a bit of noise although it seems to be quietening. There is a constant noise about Heathrow having a third runway. There are discussions on increasing the motorway speed limit to 80mph and to decrease the single carriageway limit to 50mph while 20mph is becoming a new norm in side streets.
Plenty to argue about. Starting with the West Coast Main Line. Virgin seem to be doing a good job and you’d think that might count for a lot. Richard Branson says First are promising to pay the government extra money after 2020 based on an unrealistic passenger growth forecast. The government case hasn’t explained these details so it isn’t clear if he’s right, and he’s asking for a judicial review to expose it. A petition signed by 150,000, who might be interested or might be Labour supporters, has been raised and Labour are wanting a review of the process, as they often do. At this point odds must be stacked for the government and First will sign the contract today. Although it does look like there is some risk that First might hand back the keys before the contract is up. Sometimes you have to take a risk and perhaps the cash guarantees are sufficient to cover it. The government hasn’t really answered Richard Bransons concern and perhaps that is just tough.
High Speed Rail seems to be proceeding according to a plan although councils along the way are creating opposition depending on whether they want to preserve the status quo, NIMBY’s, or want their area to have a station. It’s hard to imagine that the line won’t go ahead now as greater connectivity over medium distance is becoming the next step in human development all over the world. Although politically it is uncomfortable for the mainly Conservative MPs in the Chilterns.
More runways are needed in South East England. It’s been obvious for years that operating an airport at 97% capacity is a recipe for disaster but all parties now oppose expanding Heathrow. As more destinations in Asia are required it seems there is no scope to increase the number of flights, so Paris and Amsterdam are taking the business. Surprisingly Tim Yeo an established Conservative MP has asked the Prime Minister if he is a man or a mouse and to change his stance to support a third runway. Interesting choice of words ‘a man or a mouse’. Sounds like the point isn’t to do with the runway but an arrow fired to test the Prime Ministers credibility and to up the stakes. The alternative offered by Boris Johnson of an estuary airport to stop traffic flying over London is an interesting idea but surely a non-starter as it would change the whole pattern of growth in London, take too long, and make the airport less accessible from the rest of the UK. Why a third runway can’t be built quite a long way from Heathrow and linked by fast transport has never been explained. Seems obvious that something needs to be done.
On motorway speed limits surely the 80mph is a distraction. The first extra death will be used as a demonstration of the folly. Then they say it will be more rigorously enforced so we’ll be back to the years of police laser guns everywhere. Same as the 20mph zones, they are good in small streets but councils as usual are misusing the limit and making long stretches of roads 20mph. It seems most people are driving at about 27mph, although if they aren’t doing 35 or 40 then maybe that’s enough.
It would be a treat if the government could make some clean decisions where the opposition can’t create an image of uncertainty. Yet perhaps in modern days it isn’t possible for a government to prevent other ideas taking hold. The last government had the same problem. There are so many outlets where people can gather on-line to create a sense of opposition and opponents always shout loudest while the silent majority just nod.