Network rail consulting on the Northern Hub

I was at the launch of Network Rail's consultation process on the Northern Hub at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Launching the process,Graham Botham, Network Rail's Northern Hub boss told the audience that it was not a typical transport scheme,but was about the economy and what will make it grow.

Part of the scheme is already funded,the redevelopment of Manchester Victoria,the electrification of four separate lines and the Ordsall link

Botham told the press that more people are travelling into Manchester on the rail network than at any time since the second world war and investment in the network was needed to keep the North moving

New overtaking routes,speeding up lines and opening up the capacity for trains to travel through Manchester

The scheme is fully funded by the government would see 700 more trains a day,space for more than 44m people to travel by train each year,a £4.2bn boost to the northern economy and the creation of between 20,000-30000 additional jobs

For every pound spent on the scheme,four pounds would be generated by the economy.

Network rail is launching the consultation today across the NW.With the funding already in place,work could commence on in 2014 and will be operational by 2016

Victoria Station,once voted amongst the worst in the country will be transformed into a light,open safe interchange, with new shops and space for commercial premises.

Plans include a new roof and planning applications will be put in next March with work expected to start at the end of 2012.

As for electrification,so far only 40 per cent of the country’s railways are electrified.Over 300km of the NW’s tracks will be electrified in 4 phases to 2016

Manchester to Newton le willows

Newton to Liverpool

Huyton to Wigan

Preston to Blackpool

Victoria to Preston

In addition but awaiting further treasury funding are three to four additional platforms at Piccadilly station connecting to Oxford Road,and work on overtaking routes on the Sheffield and Marple lines.

The public can take a look at the plans for themselves at the following locations.

There are more details on the Northern Hub website and you can view a short video at You Tube

John Prescott on the nationalisation of National Express

"Now all the staff are smiling"

A return to British Rail

I hope that the announcement this morning of the government's decision to take the East coast train line back under its control could herald the start of a gradual re nationalisation of the lines.

Labour's decision not to return the trains to the public sector was a big mistake when they came to power.

We now have a situation where companies have bid far too much for the current round of franchises,putting all their efforts in collecting revenue and starving the infrastructure of much needed investment.

National Express' decision to overbid for the lucrative East Coast line forced it to promise to pay £2b over eight years,a decision which has resulted in the resignation of its chief executive and facing a take over bid from First.

This is not the way to run our transport infrastructure

The age of the train-I don't think so

I heard a comment on the radio from the government this morning saying that prices for rail customers have to be balanced against the cost to the taxpayer.

What does that mean? Surely they are one in the same person or is the government trying to say that the railways are only for the lower classes.

Rail prices are too high.Often I will make a decision to travel by car because that is the cheapest option.

As for the argument that tickets can be a lot more cheaper purchased in advance,well how many people can pre plan their journey up to 9 weeks in advance.

It is correct that subsidy should go to capacity but let us remember.The rail network by private companies and as such it is their job to match demand capacity and price.

Northern Trains which I use a lot is a case in point.They are using rolling stock that is 30 years old.They were given a 9 year contract to run trains in this region.(One of the train companies arguments was that the franchise periods were too short for planning strategy)

There has been no noticeable investment in the network,save new electronic signs at the stations and employing securicor agents to check tickets constantly.

The government has not got the rail strategy correct.Increased prices will deter additional customers as will lack of investment