tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589444.post4679697205117600336..comments2023-08-22T16:18:38.393+01:00Comments on Rail Thing - Friends of the S&D: in a nutshellUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589444.post-5663345672510800142012-04-14T21:49:14.212+01:002012-04-14T21:49:14.212+01:00A couple of weeks ago I had a longish conversation...A couple of weeks ago I had a longish conversation with an acquaintance who is employed by the Local Government Association in London, and in regular contact with Central Government. He has two briefs, one of which is transport, and there hung much of our chat.<br /><br />What I understood is that there is a hunger (even though almost certainly not universal) for constructive expert outside inputs into local public governing bodies regarding all key areas such as transport. This is an ever evolving project within local governments and the LGA. A point may be that the New S&D 'could' consult the LGA? And, from there to maybe find ways to improve the negotiation strategies within all interest areas of BAINS, etc., not limited to planning and transport, but including finance, etc.<br /><br />From my experience in the political and business areas of life, a positive, patient, focussed and open attitude to these contacts bears the greatest fruit. I understand, and fervently hope, that some very productive contacts have already been made?Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589444.post-550446699916410872012-04-14T00:04:53.625+01:002012-04-14T00:04:53.625+01:00Well written Simon, spot on,and again most refresh...Well written Simon, spot on,and again most refreshing in these challenging times, my late father who was a professional railwayman was commenting on this subject back in the 70s. I can remember that oil was supposed to be run out back by the 80,s. As Sir John Betjeman said in his 1963 film,forget roads and their anxiety travel again that most delightful route the S& D.(The video film is most enjoyable,please view this if you have not done so) You will enjoy this.Just a note to sunshiner, I have enjoyed many days out by rail over the years and enjoy sitting in a preserved BR MK1 underway on a heritage line. Bring it on. The S& D WILL RETURN!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589444.post-36715903148806528092012-04-13T16:22:12.331+01:002012-04-13T16:22:12.331+01:00Congratulations on an excellent article. Argument ...Congratulations on an excellent article. Argument of the efficiency of railway transport will need to be aired before local authorities in the S and D catchment area as well as other railways in an informed and professional manner for inclusion on local plans etc. <br /><br />Firm facts and figures need formulation to substantiate the claims. Empirically, I have travelled the whole of the M4 and M5 since the early 80s. The junction of these two motorways is more and more congested. Many heavy lorries are to be found. These have entered the M4(or M5)for ease of driving and for the fact that travelling across the West Country in an HGV on an "A" road is not a pleasant experience. The Beeching Report foresaw the primacy of road transport but not the situation now extant which has developed from inept politicians, who only care about pure policies and not their practical effects, and vested interests which the Parliamentary system permits. <br /><br />The Government via the Civil Service and vested interests talk about "sustainability" but its definition in truth and in practice differ significantly from mine and fellow members in the main. There is a huge case for reinstatement of railways with the variables often discussed whether mathematically, evidentially or otherwise. Freight usage as enivironmentally friendly and as a source of revenue now requires urgent consideration. Granted, many of the old goods sheds have gone but they can be rebuilt for modern purposes: we will need to look at the use of the 30 ton vans or similar and multimodal transport: e.g.: is it possible to transfer a container from a canal to a railway, onwards to a ship and vice versa or any suitable permuation? <br /><br />Transport of perishable and/or valuable goods needs no introduction and is a seperate chapter.<br /><br />Work must begin NOW. As a Nation, we are a phlegmatic bunch but we should have learned from two World Wars that disaster may very well result without good and proper planning when the writing is on the wall.Neil S.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589444.post-34040341852560976682012-04-13T11:43:57.269+01:002012-04-13T11:43:57.269+01:00Unfortunately Blogger doesn't allow you to con...Unfortunately Blogger doesn't allow you to contact the poster, which would be good as a degree of agreed editing could then be undertaken to allow well written and relevant material to be published, minus the insults!Steve Sainsburyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12024394243500109831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589444.post-39987346816454761102012-04-13T11:42:14.127+01:002012-04-13T11:42:14.127+01:00I feel that government should mmake it easy for ne...I feel that government should mmake it easy for new build railways to get planning permissions etc, but that's about as far as it goes. Government can never provide anything as well as the market can, and the New S&D is nothing if not a reaction to market forces!<br /><br />And Trevor - excellent point. Many blogs allow this personal mud slinging because they believe it brings more visits. Whilst it may in the short term in the long term it turns people off. That's why this blog has always had a strict policy against this sort of thing. Comments are now totally moderated (a new innovation by Blogger) which makes it much easier to spot this sort of thing.<br /><br />Even a really well-argued comment that resorts at just ONE point to either specific or general insults will NOT be allowed, no matter how erudite and interesting it is.Steve Sainsburyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12024394243500109831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589444.post-70498622412866449032012-04-13T10:31:25.237+01:002012-04-13T10:31:25.237+01:00I agree with most of what is said here, except the...I agree with most of what is said here, except the bit about getting Government to pay out for rebuilding what a Government a long time ago allowed to be destroyed. <br /><br />The problem is that Government doesn't have any money and basically any money it does have comes out of our taxes. What would be better if Government makes it attractive for companies and individuals to invest in Rail schemes through tax breaks, etc.. Therefore the cost to the poor average tax payer would less. <br /><br />We as a railway also need to build a business case with 'Real World' examples of how a company can benefit by investing large amounts money into a project that might not see any benefits (not profit) for a good number of years. Remember the Rail Mania of the 19th century. The benefits will rarely be financial.<br /><br />It's an exciting future!yamfazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03082067992151373422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589444.post-80246911580396903192012-04-13T10:20:53.594+01:002012-04-13T10:20:53.594+01:00Well written, Simon.
It makes a refreshing change...Well written, Simon. <br />It makes a refreshing change to read a well balanced article, free of personal insults. <br /><br />TrevorTrevornoreply@blogger.com