Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Tuesday, 19th January 2021
The latest rail news on Tuesday, 19th January 2021
Officials spent more than £115 million of taxpayers’ money on Crossrail 2, the colossal north-south London rail link that has now been shelved, before a spade was even in the ground.
That is according to an article in The Daily Telegraph that says more than £83 million of the sum went to consultants as the Department for Transport and Transport for London developed the scheme.
Preparations for the £33 billion project were put on hold last autumn by Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, in return for a central Government bailout of TfL, the transport authority.
A spokesman for Transport for London said “the pandemic has meant that we have to be realistic about what is currently affordable”. He adds that “the work developing proposals will still be used when we are in a position to confirm funding in the future”.
The path to tackling congestion in South East Wales has been confirmed as the Welsh Government has endorsed the recommendations of the South East Wales Transport Commission.
It has been confirmed the government will work with partners to increase rail capacity, reduce journey times and improve resilience.
More than £140 million of taxpayers’ money has been spent buying property to make way for the eastern leg of HS2 even though the route could be scrapped.
The article in The Times says the investment has been made in land, homes and businesses between Birmingham and Leeds via the East Midlands.
A Department for Transport spokesman says the final scope for HS2’s eastern leg will be informed by the integrated rail plan and that any purchased property which is not required would be sold to protect taxpayers’ interests.
Finally, and a Grade II listed signal box in Torquay is going up for auction next month with planning permission in place for residential use.
An article in the Metro says the Victorian property comes complete with its set of sturdy levers, now surplus to requirements for trains that regularly pass through.
Photo credit: Welsh Government
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