WGPlus (Archive)

Beeching cuts to go into reverse?

The Strategic vision for rail sets out a vision for our railways, including a new way of operating train & track and changes to the franchising system.

  • the next phase for rail with a new way of operating train & track – bringing them closer together
  • a railway fit for the 21st century and the huge volumes of passengers it now carries
  • government to explore opportunities to increase railway capacity to drive economic & housing growth
  • modernising the railway by bringing forward digital technologies to dramatically improve services for passengers
The Strategic vision for rail also commits to explore opportunities to restore capacity lost under the Beeching and British Rail cuts of the 1960s & 1970s by identifying new schemes that unlock new housing or economic growth and offer good value for money.
Researched Links:

DfT:  Strategic vision for rail ~ DfT:  The future of the Great Western franchise

DfT:  Better journeys for South Eastern rail passengers

Update on the Thameslink Programme

The Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford Arc: Responses to the NIC’s report

Community rail stations of the future to be shaped by new blueprint for success

Challenges & opportunities facing the UK rail supply chain

All aboard the new Intercity Express trains that will transform journeys across South Wales

All aboard the new Intercity Express trains that will transform journeys across Britain

New £48bn funding for Britain’s railways

Government plans £80m smart ticketing rail revolution

Multi-£bn boost for Scotland’s railways

Government invests in northern digital railway plans to improve trans-Pennine journeys

Elizabeth line on the right track

More seats for rail passengers as nearly £1bn is invested in Midlands services

NIC: New measure will bring innovation to our rail network

New station boost for passengers thanks to £16m government investment

Rail infrastructure funding: 2019 to 2024

Huge economic boost for the north of England as Transport Secretary confirms HS2 routes

Who funds it?

Carefully calculate the project budget and then triple it for an under-estimation!

But which government will pay for it – perhaps ScotGov should pay for it out of the overgenerous Fiscal Framework?

Did Dr Beeching get it wrong with his railway cuts 50 years ago? - BBC

Beeching Closures

HELPING LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES TO PROSPER