£38.5 bn rail upgrades delayed or axed

No comments yet on Crossrail 2 so far as I can see. I presume that HS2 is not affected?

Frankly, this is outrageous if the projects are cancelled, though if this is an oversight issue, then that is to be welcomed in the long run. However, if the projects are to be shelved or cancelled, it is worth noting that the government can borrow money via 50yr gilts at unbelievably low rates right now of 2.7%, fixed rate for 50yrs, and falling, with the return on investment on projects like this more than justifying the borrowing.

uk.investing.com/rates-bonds/uk-50-year-bond-yield

Meanwhile, billions are wasted on "green" taxes to reduce CO2, a colourless, odourless gas that plants breathe, that is measured in parts per million and is less potent a greenhouse gas than water vapour, which accounts for 2% of the atmosphere, whilst the Met Office admits global temperatures have not risen since at least 1997 (almost two decades now), and yet the electricity that powers "sustainable" trains is taxed to death.

www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/news/recent-pause-in-warming

The Guardian have also stated a few days ago that the sun is cooling and that temperatures are likely to fall globally for a period now, but the big oil companies still demand punitive taxes on coal, and Guardian readers and the UN previously claimed that the sun has no impact on climate. But of course, we still need to monkey hammer our economy with punitive green taxes and fraudulent carbon trading. But not enough cash for "sustainable" rail links, and they tax the fuel used by buses "to save the planet". It is absurd.

www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/23/weak-sun-could-offset-some-global-warming-europe-us-study

Meanwhile over £12bn being spent on the EU, similar amount on foreign aid, much of which goes direct to dictators, much of which is spent on arms, produced by UK corporations, in a 1984 style wealth destruction operation, whilst we participate in a European Union that places massive trade barriers to third world countries, particularly in Africa, halting their development.

I struggle to get my head around things because there is no lack of money. I can only imagine that there will be a Tory attempt now to break up and privatise Network Rail, with some of it being devolved. This is therefore most likely a political stunt, because the cash and finance is more than available for these projects. Maybe we will see tracks and stations devolved or handed to franchise holders. The sale of rail tracks would yield a massive one off boost to the coffers, but would it deliver infrastructure improvements?

I doubt either will be affected much - since neither was in the five year plan that is now being rescheduled. Still well over the horizon.

The thing which strikes me as the biggest problem here is that this announcement has to extend the life of pacers, this means more "modern" diesels will not be available.

Does that mean the Bombardier deal might be back on?

Network Rail 'too big', says Sir Richard Branson
BBC News-4 hours ago
Network Rail is too big and should be broken up into regional units, Sir Richard Branson has told the BBC. Many of the delays that passengers ...

(What did I say?) Problem, reaction, solution. Various others will be peddled out to present the pre-ordained "solution". Of course, Branson will be bidding for chunks of Network Rail.

With the delay to electrification and diesels not being cascaded, It is more likely D Stock conversions could be seen in more parts of the country than envisioned. I believe one is going to the west country on test. 158's were supposed to take over Exeter to Barnstaple in December.

HS3 could be the alternative to the paused Transport Pennine scheme. Too many bends on the old tracks.

Let the senior management of any company bidding to take over a part of Network Rail be personally accountable for the standard of service and safety resulting in their bid being successful. Any default in this follows the individuals - no closing down companies and setting up new ones - and would be punished with retribution that would make the Spanish Inquisition recoil in squeamish horror.

grahamhewett. If this were London Overground........"Our three weapons are new trains, longitudinal seating, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Mayor.......oh ****, our four weapons are etc. etc. etc.........." 

The GWML electrification is an utter shambles between Airport Jct and Twyford with no completed OHLE gantries, no logical approach apparent in the way work is scheduled and carried out and daily signaling failures!

Scrap the GWML scene run IEP's only on diesel power and divert Crossrail to the Heathrow Airport and shelve all GWML electrification plans!

XF

I went over that section about 10 days ago. Between Twyford and Slough there were a decent amount of masts, as well as a number of completed gantries installed. Ok there were signal issues at Southall for two days running last week, but they do seem reduced compared to a few months ago.

Ah yes, Maidenhead not Twyford, but I'm certain a few gantries were complete until Slough, I did see the horizontal sections extending out in a few places. I was on 165103 on the Up Main (fast line), an ex-Bedwyn service that was non-stop Reading to Paddington.

More details on completed sections here.

towerman - I doubt if they'd care - they'll get paid anyway.