IEP goes backwards at high speed

In a completely unexpected development it has emerged that the exciting new replacement for the HST fleet is subject to yet further delay (No shit Sherlock. Ed).

According to the December Structural Reform Plan published on the Number 10 website:


And the reason?

Happily it emerges that the delay is nothing to do with DfT as it is apparently 'for reasons outside of the Department's control'. A splendid explanation that all TOCs can now happily embrace to inform passengers when their own trains fail to turn up on time.

Meanwhile, does anyone have a clue what 'has resulted in a delay to commercial close of May 2012' actually means?