Regular Eye readers will recollect that the proposed new timetable for the East Coast route has run into a spot of bother.
Known as SLC2 it was due to be introduced, to great fanfare, at the December 2010 timetable change.
And for this date to be achieved it needed to be set in stone, with all parties agreeing to it, by the 8th of January 2010.
All was going swimmingly until, alas, the Noble Lord himself took an interest.
For some inexplicable reason it now appears that there has been a degree of slippage.
Sources close to the Department indicate that SLC2 is now more likely to be implemented at the May 2011 timetable change rather than at the December 2010 target date.
No matter.
Even May 2011 is looking highly optimistic, judging by this letter from the 'independent' Office of Rail Regulation to Network Rail requesting a review, and if necessary amendment, of the East Coast RUS.
As any fule kno a Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) seek(s) to balance capacity, passenger & freight demand, operational performance and cost, to address the requirements of funders and stakeholders".
As the timetable is the physical embodiment of the balance achieved by the RUS, presumably the former must follow the latter?
So is anyone now brave enough to suggest when SLC2 might actually be implemented?
UPDATE: This from a Mr Pat Bell...
Mr. Lee wants an answer by 8 January 1010?
Railways won't have been invented for another 815 years.
You have to applaud ORR for being ahead of the curve!
UPDATE: This, surprisingly, from the late Sir Arthur Bryant...
But if the railways had been invented King Harold could have taken his army on the LNER to Stamford Bridge, duffed up Harald Hardrada, then returned (taking refreshments on route) and caught the Southern electric to Hastings, arriving in good time to repulse William the Bastard as he tried to land.
Grimsby and Back
3 years ago
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