This from the BBC's Nick Robinson...
The American economist David Hale says that the governor of the Bank of England has told him that the next British government will need to launch an austerity drive so tough that it will threaten its political survival, potentially leaving that party out of power for a generation.
Farewell electrification, Crossrail, a new Thameslink fleet, add your own pet project here, etc...
Splendid news about the disused Waterloo International station which is currently costing taxpayers £2m a year.
Apparently it is to return to use within a matter of months!
This from luvvie rag The Stage...
A new stage adaptation of E. Nesbit’s novel The Railway Children is to be performed in the former Eurostar terminal at Waterloo Station.
Timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the film version of the book, the production will run from July 4, with press night on July 12, and is booking until September 4, 2010.
Eye is surprised that a children's play was selected.
Surely a good old fashioned British farce would have been more apposite.
This from Railnews...
THE rebranding of East Coast last November cost £634,842, of which taxpayers had to find £339,190, according to official figures.
What a fabulous use of public funds!
Eye salutes The Thin Controller, DafT and Directly Operated Railways for enriching the vinyl makers.
Telegrammed by Ithuriel
This Written Answer from the Noble Lord given on the 10th March:
In the latest year for which figures are available, the Department for Transport spent £328,471 on photocopier paper.
This figure excludes spend by the Vehicle Operator Services Agency, which could only provide the information at disproportionate cost.
£328,471!
On photocopier paper!!
And how much of that was down to the late and unlamented IEP?
Amount to be spent by the Government "in the near future"on the 10 worst stations identified by the Stationers to Lord DafT Vader - £50 million.
Amount spent by Ministers in the last four years on ministerial cars and chauffeurs: £24 million.
Posts
