LibDem Manifesto - Rail

Here are the key rail elements of the LibDem manifesto...

Taken from section 6.7 'Investing in the transport we need' (page 62ff)..

To build a transport system fit for the 21st century, we will:

●  Ensure that new rail franchises include a stronger focus on customers, including a programme of investment in new stations, lines and modern trains. We will allow public sector bodies and mutual groups involving staff and passengers to bid for franchises. We will continue the Access for All programme, improving disabled access to public transport as a key priority.

●  As a result of severe failings that rise to the level of breach of contract, establish government-run companies to take over the running of Southern Rail and Govia Thameslink, with a long-term plan to  find more effective and sustainable ways of managing these franchises involving greater powers for local government.

●  Pursue the electrification of the rail network, improve stations, reopen smaller stations, restore twin-track lines to major routes and proceed with HS2, HS3 and Crossrail 2, including development of a high-speed network stretching to Scotland.

●  Invest capital in major transport improvements and infrastructure. We will:
- Shift more freight from road to rail.
- Deliver the Transport for the North strategy to promote growth, innovation and prosperity across northern England.
- Develop more modern, resilient links to and within the south-west peninsula to help develop and diversify the regional economy.
- Complete East West Rail, connecting Oxford and Cambridge and catalysing major new housing development.
- Ensure London’s transport infrastructure is improved to withstand the pressure of population and economic growth.
- Support the takeover of metro services in London by London Overground.
- Encourage the swift take-up of electric and driverless vehicles.

To protect and extend local public transport, we will:

●  Introduce a rail ombudsman to enforce passenger rights and improve the provision of compensation, with the power to sanction rail companies as appropriate.

●  Provide local authorities and communities with the powers to improve transport and ticketing with the ability to introduce network-wide and smart ticketing systems.

You can read the entire thing, here.

Worthy, but probably pointless...

LibDem reshuffle - Baker gone. Kramer - in!

Staunch Cleggite Jeremy Browne being replaced at Home Office by Norman Baker. Biggest shock of reshuffle so far #reshuffle
— James Chapman (Mail) (@jameschappers) October 7, 2013

Flabber is increasingly ghasted today!

BOOM! The big one lands: Susan Kramer replaces Norman Baker at transport.
— Matt Chorley (@MattChorley) October 7, 2013

Speechless! 

Baroness Kramer has been appointed as Minister of State at @transportgovuk #reshuffle
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) October 7, 2013

So Baroness Kramer (LibDem) takes Tory ministerial role. 

Key question - who gets HS2?

Party Conference news - LibDems

This from the Ninja

Thought Eye readers might be interested to see that the anti-HS2 mob were busy lobbying at the LibDems' Conference in Brighton.

Expect similar appearances at Manchester and Birmingham.

The arguments in their slide presentation were simplistic, contradictory and easy to demolish.

In particular I loved the comparison between the beautiful woods of the Chilterns and the maintenance depot on HS1!

I wonder who is actually paying for the stand, glossy leaflets and chocolate white elephants?

Trying to persuade them of the error of their ways was the most fun I had in Brighton this week.

Apart from hearing Cleggy's 'songified' apology, obviously.

ATOC tells Hammond to get a grip!

Hurrah for ATOC!

Finally someone in the industry has had the cojones to challenge the Secretary of State on his spectacularly ill advised suggestion that the railways are a "rich man's toy"!

Happily the BBC was there to record the words of ATOC's newly emboldened CEO at a LibDem fringe event tonight:

"Philip Hammond needs to read his brief a bit more closely before making these kind of comments."

Of course had Michael followed Eye's coverage of Derbygate he would not have been surprised by Petrol-head's strange utterances and inability to read from the Departmental script.

For as any ful kno, Paper-knife is only trusted by his officials to 'open envelopes'.

UPDATE: This from Croesus...

I rather think everyone has missed the point of my good friend Philip's most witty quip.

He is rich.

The railway is his toy.

N'est pas?

UPDATE: This from El Sureño...

Muy Estimado Señor Compilador,

Surely it should be ‘someone in the industry has the cojones to challenge the Secretary of State’.

Unless you are implying that our brave railwaymen have literally been emasculated by the dead hand of DfT.

Norman wisdom...

Are the LibDem's Transport Team clutching at straws?

The muesli munchers have been bombarding anyone foolish enough to give them an email address with a growing number of loopy press releases screeching about how utterly piss-poor the railways are.

In their latest effort the flip-flop wearers moan about the number of unstaffed stations on the network.

While train companies are announcing staffing cuts across the network, the Liberal Democrats have released new research showing that one third of stations are totally unstaffed.

No shit, Sherlock!

Perhaps when the LibDem's take power (the week after hell freezes over) stations like Loch Eil Outward Bound and Coombe Junction will be staffed for the very first time! Ensuring unparalleled levels of customer service for the one man and his dog who actually use these wayside halts.

So come on Norman Baker - without demonstrating the economics of the madhouse, what is your solution?

Meanwhile this sort of PR poppycock masquerading as 'news' is just plain silly. Please stop it now.

Limited and questionable?

The first foot in mouth award for 2009 goes to the LibDems.

Railway Eye readers may recollect that former rail minister Tom Harris was on record as having monthly meetings with 'amateur railway enthusiasts'.

Unfortunately LibDem Transport spokesman Norman Baker MP has taken to insulting them.

This from yesterday's Daily Mail:

"Trainspotting may be an activity of limited, and indeed questionable, appeal, but it is not a criminal offence and it is not a terrorist threat."

Looks like the LibDems have lost the industry vote.

Un-Beeching

Good news from the Liberal Democrats!

The Beeching cuts of the 1960s will be reversed if the Liberal Democrats win power, according to today's Yorkshire Post.

Pictured is a fruit cake.