Transport promises: How Mayors plan to spend YOUR money!

Transport promises: How Mayors plan to spend YOUR money! | Ep 32

Рет қаралды 3,752

Күн бұрын

What the Metro Mayors want to spend YOUR money on - we delve into some of the transport promises in winning Mayoral manifestos and ask how realistic they are.
Richard has to eat a bit of humble pie over Yorkshire; and
The Channel Tunnel turns 30!
This time presented by Richard Bowker and Green Signals General Manager Stef Foster.
Note from Richard - apologies to the Metro Mayors of Liverpool City Region and West Yorkshire because contrary to what I said on the show, those regions did indeed go to the polls last week and the incumbent Mayors won their respective elections. Congratulations to them - and I'm heading off for new glasses since having read a particular source document multiple times, I still managed to put two Combined Authorities in the wrong column.......
In this episode:
00:00 Intro
01:39 Ffestiniog Railway Snowdonian steam train footplate ride video ( • SNOWDONIAN 2024 - Stea... )
03:38 Feedback on Big Interview with Rail Minister Huw Merriman ( • Rail Minister Huw Merr... )
05:30 Mayoral Elections on May 2nd and what the outcomes might mean for the railway
08:29 South Yorkshire Combined Authority - Mayor Oliver Coppard (Reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport, trial of free travel for young people on public transport, Sheffield Supertram and buses back into public ownership)
15:42 Tees Valley Combined Authority - Ben Houchen (Lord) (Network North and reallocation of HS2 funds, Teesside International Airport Station)
29:49 Greater Manchester Combined Authority - Andy Burnham (The Bee Network, Liverpool-Manchester Railway, HS2 alternative)
37:12 West Midlands Combined Authority (Nationalisation of buses and why it’s different to the railway)
51:03 Channel Tunnel 30th anniversary
Subscribe: If you liked this video, please give it a thumbs up. Better still, hit that subscribe button. It supports the channel and means you'll be notified whenever we publish something new.
Green Signals:
Website - www.greensignals.org
Newsletter - www.greensignals.org/#mailing-...
Follow:
X (Twitter) - / greensignallers
LinkedIn - / green-signals-producti...
Instagram - / greensignallers
Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

Пікірлер: 119

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

If you enjoy this episode, please give it a thumbs up 👍And hit Subscribe if you haven't already, thanks! 😃

@stuart48br Ай бұрын

One of the benefits of bringing buses under public control is that bus services can be integrated into local tram, metro and train services. The worst example was probably Tyne & Wear where bus integration was designed into the Metro system, then with bus privatisation, the feeder bus services were abandoned and the bus services competed with the newly built metro system. I am sure that Andy Burnham will be looking at bus integration with Metrolink; for example, on my home patch, regular buses from Gatley and Cheadle to the Metrolink Park & Ride at East Didsbury, avoiding the need for the nonsensical idea to reopen Cheadle High Level railway station promoted by the local Tory (soon to be ex) MP, through pork barrel politics. Great show and well done to Stef for standing in for Nigel.

@GreenSignals Ай бұрын

Thanks Stuart. Some good points there on integration.

@grandadontour1963 2 ай бұрын

Great podcast guys , I usually listen via Apple Podcasts but as rumours has it the keen eyed will notice a distinct improvement on the glamour front. Seriously , great work from all of you. Train driver essential listening and it’s been great to hear the various points relating to the current dispute in a totally unbiased forum although my allegiance lies firmly with Brother Whelan’s take on the situation @aslef 👊

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks! Really pleased you enjoy the show. We’re doing some work in the various comments made following our interview with Huw Merriman so watch out for that one!

@frazerstirling 2 ай бұрын

Another good episode - on the point of franchised buses and congestion, I see a lot of sense in the local authority having both cost and revenue impact of congestion within their control. In my view, private operators gone about as far as they can on cost/revenue without addressing congestion, and without the cost impact of running the services themselves local authorities have not been sufficiently incentivised to do as much as is needed (with a few exceptions of course such as Oxford). Under a franchised model, local authorities will have more of the economic pressure to address the congestion, both in terms of revenue and the costs (number of buses & drivers etc), and can’t simply challenge the private sector as Richard mentions in the NX West Midlands example. Once they start to better understand the links between bus revenue/patronage and the other levers they have at their disposal, the pressure to act will be significant I suspect.

@LeslieGilpinRailways 2 ай бұрын

Completion of WCML electrification between Preston and Motherwell. The sections Weaver Junction to Warrington and then Preston and the Glasgow Central to Motherwell were already completed before the May 6 1974 final section.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Leslie. Made a big difference to Carlisle and the traffic going through it as well.

@MrDixie951 2 ай бұрын

Great informative video as usual, lovely to see Steff on the front line. I have found that if I watch you on KZfaq then listen on Spotify whilst on a walk I get more detail out of your conversations. Keep them coming 😊😊

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks - a double dose! Cheers. Richard

@stephendavies6949 2 ай бұрын

There are some strange things afoot in Tees/Tyneside, including the Freeport situation. Wasn't T Dan Smith from that part of the world? PS: I got the Kruger question right too! Nice to see Stephanie this week. A refreshing change 🙂. Not that Nigel won't be welcomed back.

@MervynPartin 2 ай бұрын

Well done Steff. Nice to see and hear you at last and hopefully, there will be further live contributions from you. In this week's topics:- Regarding the airport, as soon as someone mentions "World Leading", I know it is doomed. Very sad to see the loss of Andy Street. Regardless of politics, he fought for his region (and did not try and blame anyone else for losing). This week's question- It was an eventful year, much of which I missed as I was in the Merchant Navy, but 6 May was when the electrification of the West Coast Main Line was completed to Glasgow.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

There most certainly will be further appearances. And agree with Andy Street being a loss. Whatever your view of his politics, he rolled up his sleeves and got stuck in. We need to give the new Mayor a chance - but he has a big personality to replace.

@TheDaf95xf 2 ай бұрын

As always a great show 👍🏻 Steff was an absolute star 🌟 of the show lol 😂 Hopefully Steff will cover or even all three of you on a Green Signals show 👍🏻

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

She was indeed a star. Thanks for the show of support for Nige and me as well though.......! Cheers.

@mrcogginsgarage7062 2 ай бұрын

Parrish notices time Arrived home for lunch to find My Green Signals mug had arrived drinking my Tea from it as I type For which many thanks. Nearly spilt said tea in excitement when hearing that I'd come first for a second time. How pleasant to have the company of a Rail Replacement Steph,might we have the benefit of your company more often ? No competition entry from me this week ,let's give someone else a chance ,and the change of the rules is a great deal more fair well done Richard.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Marvellous, glad you hear your mug arrived safely. And well done on managing to win twice! I'm sure Rail Replacement Stef will appear again before long...

@tonyelse1315 2 ай бұрын

Well done Steff

@andrewrturtle7231 2 ай бұрын

Firstly, Steff was a superb and very capable 'deputy' for Nigel. I hope she is on the show again soon. Secondly, can I also add in a thanks for acknowledging the various comments disagreeing with some of the points that Huw Merriman made. From my experience of this dispute, it is largely driven by exactly the points raised, the RDG/DfT making company, or even depot, specific 't&c's' part of a national dispute and using them as a soundbite for their media statements. It is simply impossible to deal nationally with mulitple local t&c's as every operating territory is completely different. It is also extremely unprofessional and unfair to try and portray them as t&c's that apply to every 'train driver on 60k a year'. It would have been very easy for you to simply close the box on that episode and walk away, so fair play to you for continuing to dig! 👍

@tantive4 2 ай бұрын

Having already won a mug, I'm just playing along with this week's quiz. But my friend Scott will be completely electric about it 😉

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Haha, nicely done... Hope you're enjoying your mug!

@wrangerrob 2 ай бұрын

Firstly, well done Steff. Not sure there is four airports within an hour especially if you live east such as Lincoln or even Doncaster itself. Robin Hood Airport has one fantastic asset, a very long runway capable of taking the big jets. It does need to fly to the States. I suggest once a week building to more flights as numbers grow. Doncaster is a growing city for example IPort. As for rail connection Finningley should open, it is a big village on its own. A short shuttle initially would suffice. I do understand flying is not environmentally friendly but try stopping all the holidays abroad, no way. People will be green but will fly regardless.

@BenRattigan 2 ай бұрын

He also promised a tunnel under the Tees which is too wide and far too deep in the proposed locations. Wider and deeper than Thames at Dartford.

@richardwhite2325 2 ай бұрын

Brilliant show nice to see steff on the show

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Richard, glad you enjoyed it.

@frankbagshaw6886 2 ай бұрын

Great show, good to see Steff. Listening to discussion enhances magazine reading material.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Cheers!

@gbphil 2 ай бұрын

A solution to regional international airports are link services and through ticketing. I’m from Birmingham and it makes far more sense to fly long haul via Birmingham to Europe connections rather than the hassle of travelling to and from Heathrow. Get off the plane and just 15 minutes from home, £30 in a taxi rather than £200. Pre-pandemic, £325 return to Chicago via Frankfurt. If there were Birmingham to Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and perhaps Prestwick link flights, sold by the major airlines as connecting feeder services, I would be more than happy. The same could be true for Doncaster,Newcastle, Cardiff etc. For several years I did use Continental who flew to Birmingham to Newark despite really wanting to travel to California and did that through their hub there.😎😇

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

An interesting point. Or even High Speed rail connections to the principal hub airports? Many major european principal airports have such connections.

@gbphil 2 ай бұрын

@@GreenSignals that’s why it was so stupid to bypass Heathrow with HS2. Birmingham, Leeds and Sheffield with a 90 minute direct connection at 400kmh! (265mph). 😎😇

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

@@gbphil No argument there!

@briannewton9283 2 ай бұрын

Hugely enjoyable as always and nicely done, Stef! 😊

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Brian!

@bishwatntl 2 ай бұрын

I remember bus de-regulation in South Yorkshire - so many buses of different sizes and colours rushing around to get passengers. That was back in the days that folk talked about The People's Republic of South Yorkshire... :)

@andrewseddon7989 2 ай бұрын

You mentioned about NPR early on in the post my question is you may know about the fact that at warrington bank Quay station i think it was about either during covid or just after there is a twin train track that runs undr the station which as you are probably aware is on WCML , , anyway i seem to remember i remember a pollotition stannding on the station and making some report about having a new station built underneath the mainline station , well a brand new bridge was lifted underneath the wcml line it doesn't make sense unless it was for a new passenger line and for many years i believe it was proposed to use this line for NPR , and now especially that lnot much uses that line after fiddlers ferry power station was decommissioned in March of 2020 Actually it originally was a passenger line way before the powerstation was built i think it was closed to passengers sometime about the 50's or 60's because there us partial remains of a platform in penketh just a few miles west of warrington Any info please

@staffordian 2 ай бұрын

Another great episode, and good to see Stef in front of the camera as well as doing the hard work behind the scenes! Just a point about the new quiz rules. I'd thought about suggesting this a few weeks ago but discounted it as I thought that once one or two gave the answer on KZfaq, lots of others would simply repeat the same answer. By the way, I think the answer is completion of the electrification of the WCML allowing through electric haulage from Euston to Glasgow. I would suggest just allowing entries via email, to ensure 'no cribbing' 🙂. Cheers, Rob

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Rob. It's really appreciated. And also for the suggestion re the quiz. The Committee will convene.....!

@russellbenton2987 2 ай бұрын

Quiz , The Electric Scots . The full electrification of the West Coast Main line from Weaver Junction to Glasgow Central . Glasgow- London in 5 hours was the headline time . A major step forward as I think it was 6 hours before then

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

It was a huge step forward, agree.

@BenRattigan 2 ай бұрын

It would be interesting to see passenger figures for the TeesFlex on demand buses Ben Houchen introduced, it’s run by Stagecoach and I’ve yet to see one carrying a passenger.

@allanmorton6022 2 ай бұрын

What a great contrast featuring Stef this week instead of Nigel, Richard must have been happy! Another interesting discussion on politicians promises in leaflets which mostly never happen. At least some of them listed actual concrete plans which they can be measured against regarding progress. Surely good having Manchester and Birmingham now both Labour to get that HS2 replacement kick started. Good idea with the quiz changes as you can't really do it well relying on speed of response as people will all watch the videos at different times during the week. For my answer I'll go for squadron service of electric trains on the northern section up to Glasgow. Well done to Stef for stepping in and it will be interesting when Richard is elsewhere one week to see a discussion between Nigel and Stef!!

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Allan, that's very kind of you. Glad you enjoyed the show. And yes, we're hoping that the quiz might be a bit fairer with the new rules.

@guyb3785 2 ай бұрын

Great podcast as always

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Many thanks Guy

@martinoban 2 ай бұрын

Doncaster Airport would make sense if Leeds was closed which would be a good idea (it's a limited runway and appallingly located) but is politically and financially 'difficult '

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Now that's a conversation I would love to be a fly on the wall for when someone tells Tracy Brabin that it makes sense to close Leeds Bradford for the greater good. You'd need to take cover though........

@Richardhill1978 2 ай бұрын

Le signaux verts douze points, mais certains des douze maires donneraient-ils zero point pour des raisions politiques. Keep up the great work

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Ah, un autre fan d’Euroviosion. Nigel sera ravi!

@Adam-pk2te 2 ай бұрын

Great Episode as always look forward to Nigel returning but also to future appearances from Stef Hopefully the potential future Lincolnshire mayor doesn't get any ideas about buses I'd miss seeing Delaine's nice small bus company been going since 1890

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

And indeed there will be future appearances! Totally agree re Delaine Buses. Part of the landscape. But plenty of those small, independent operators flourished prior to deregulation (we used to have Fishwicks in Leyland where I lived - very similar) so no reason why they cannot continue to thrive.

@richardbarrow3109 2 ай бұрын

electrification of the West Coast Main Line from Weaver Junction north of Crewe, to Preston, Carlisle and Glasgow Central

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Richard. Tune in next week to see if that is the correct answer.

@gordondudman240 2 ай бұрын

An interesting view on the ‘free’ bus travel is the experience of Scotland, where a small coterie of teenagers have, in effect, driven off other users. An extremis seen in Elgin where a bus driver was murdered

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

I suspect that it’s always a tiny minority that generate a disproportionate percentage of the headlines Gordon. Desperately sad to hear about the bus driver in Elgin. Thoughts with the family - what an awful, unforgivable thing to happen when you’re just doing your job.

@loggingrlyman 2 ай бұрын

The answer to the question is that 50 years ago the electrification of the, West coast main line to Glasgow being inaugurated

@alanwatson5929 2 ай бұрын

Great show. Interesting to see the ambitions or lack of them on transport from the new mayor's. A quick point for Steff who I think said Teeside/Durham Tees Valley/Middleton St George Airport passenger figures were up by over 90% and higher than pre-covid. In recent years Teeside has only seen a couple of flights a day so the increase is from a very low base. On a similar point is it time we went down the French route banning all internal flights of less that 1 hour on environmental ground? A little controversial but it would increase load factors on the trains and release slots at Heathrow.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Good point about statistics Alan. Going from 1 to 2 is a 100% increase - but it's still only 2! Personally, I think we should consider the French model. One of the challenges created by devolution (which I am generally in favour of) is that regional politicians all love their trophy projects and status assets. Airports seem to be a favourite, but in 2024 when we should all be concerned about emissions, it feels increasingly dated.

@eddierowles 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for making the point about the rise in passenger figures at Teesside airport not being quite as dramatic as they sound - I was just about to do so. Not to mention this has been a loss-making airport. In terms of relocating the airport rail stop, I'm not certain there's much they can do. Interestingly - for me at least - I shall be taking my first commercial flight from here next month.

@angusswanson5984 2 ай бұрын

May 2024 - 50 = May 1974 sounds like completion of electrification of the WCML from Weaver junction to Glasgow?

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Tune in next week to find out if that's the correct answer!

@just_some_northerner356 2 ай бұрын

great episode as always, quiz answer, 6th may marked the 50th anniversary of the Inauguration of full electric service on West Coast Main Line through to Glasgow

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the answer - you'll have to join us again next time to find out!

@BenRattigan 2 ай бұрын

Ben’s Autonomous trackless trams is quite a joke.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

A trackless tram is a bus, albeit one that does more damage because it impacts the road surface in the same place, constantly. Presume they are heavier than buses as well.

@gorgu08 2 ай бұрын

The West Midlands mayor and Greater Manchester mayor need to align and focus on the Hansacre to Crewe bypass (new name for HS2 phase 1a) to improve connectivity and capacity and then plan for a future extension into Manchester that properly integrates with network north / NPHR

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

I think you mean 2a but your point is very valid.

@andrewnelson4057 2 ай бұрын

The West Yorkshire Mayor WAS up for re-election.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

You are absolutely correct Andrew. As was Steve Rotheram in Liverpool. I 'fess up to this on our show this week...!

@MercenaryPen 2 ай бұрын

My guess for the quiz is the commencement of electric service to Glasgow- completing the electrification of the WCML

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the answer - you'll have to join us next time to find out!

@mattsawyer343 2 ай бұрын

The thing that always strikes me about transport commentators is that they seem to HATE public transport! If this was a road/car podcast they'd be really enthusiastic about the various schemes.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

I love public transport - really! I just hate waste. And since politician's can have a tendency to waste your money and my money on crackpot schemes, wouldn't you rather we were objective about it? One of my pals has a big car you tube channel and he's often critical about stuff - so I'm not sure your comparison quite holds up either. Still, you watched the show so thanks! Much appreciated. Challenge is always good.

@davidwil58 2 ай бұрын

Good point, and what they don’t always know is just how much people in a particular area WANT better public transport. It’s all very well if you live in London or the south, but people in other areas do actually expect their local politicians to improve buses, trains and so on in their areas. It’s what matters to them. So as much as we can all be a bit cynical, a little enthusiasm or encouragement for projects doesn’t go amiss either.

@stephendavies6949 2 ай бұрын

I got last week's question right (Pru Leith), which I thought was pretty tough. This week I think the answer is the anniversary of the start of a fully electrified service from London (Euston) to Glasgow.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Agreed, it was pretty tough - although once again, I am in awe of the number of people who did get it.

@stephendavies6949 2 ай бұрын

@@GreenSignals I guess it shows the level of interest in railways within the population.

@superted6960 2 ай бұрын

Re the quiz, the full electric service on the WCML to Glasgow was inaugurated on 6 May 1974

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Superted - you'll have to join us next time to find out!

@NorfolkandGood66 2 ай бұрын

Quiz - 50 years of electrification of the London to Glasgow line?

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks. Tune in next week - as they say!

@pauljohnson7171 2 ай бұрын

All the North East mayor candidate s promised to reopen the Leamside rail line from South Tyneside to Durham in its entirety, or extend the Metro from South Hylton to Pelaw. Open the whole line? Yes increase capacity on the ECML as it was always a diversion route for frieght. Problem is it would cost more than their transport budget. Extension of the Metro is more doable, but the only problem is the trackbed goes nowhere near the major residential or shopping areas of Washington. Its great for the Nissan factory as it passes its back door. But unless they move the trackbed its pointless but has been sold that its the saviour of public transport in Washington. The government turned it down for Restoring Your Railway.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

The challenge for all such line reopenings as the Leamside Line is they they are not standalone - they interact with the national network.

@goutvalley 2 ай бұрын

May 6 1974 - Inauguration of full electric service on British Rail West Coast Main Line through to Glasgow.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Cheers. Tune in next week etc...

@Richardhill1978 2 ай бұрын

Looks like Hansard behind Steph

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Yes it does look a bit like that, doesn't it?! They're RAIL magazine bound volumes.

@user-iz1ht3ut1m 2 ай бұрын

BR published their first all line timetable.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Was that as late as 1974? Had no idea.

@tomslade3365 2 ай бұрын

I reflect on the channal tunnel CT with much disopointment I think green signals could do a deep dive in to why 30yrs of Railfright has resulted in one or two trains aday of fright( . the has been nothing but faled atemp't arfter atempt to run fright ..... yet other tunnels in the EU and links are jam packed with fright ........we only have to look at the trucks on the M20 to see a envoromental desastor too, As a M 25 use I do spot truck on every trip with modal contanors and transport names that fill train loads in euro land but not the UK ,,,,,!!!?

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Tom. Yes, I think a deep dive into the Channel Tunnel (pardon the pun) would be a really interesting future show.....

@BassBusMusic 2 ай бұрын

Fesability study for £1M? Cheap at a tenth of the price. The fesability study for the 'continuation' of the Borders Railway to Carlisle is costing £10M.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

And I was having such a lovely morning........!

@OlanKenny 2 ай бұрын

Nigel Replacement Stef? Good work Stef, you've been a great substitute in Nigel's absence.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Olan, much appreciated. Not sure how I feel about being known as a Nigel Replacement Stef, but I see what you did there!

@superted6960 2 ай бұрын

I'll defend airports in general on the grounds that they provide services that people are prepared to pay for and provide employment opportunities across the spectrum. Doncaster Airport however has proved to be a consistent loss maker and is something the Metro Mayor shouldn't touch with the proverbial bargepole. Incidentally, the West Yorkshire mayor was re-elected last week.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Yes, indeed she was, as was Steve Rotheram in Liverpool. Serve me right for checking the wrong document. We will make amends by featuring West Yorkshire and Liverpool City Region soon!

@superted6960 2 ай бұрын

@@GreenSignalsI look forward to that as this is my neck of the woods. When the Govt announced that £2bn of HS2 money was earmarked for the West Yorkshire rapid transit, Tracy Brabin rather unhelpfully remarked they needed £4bn for the job. Hmm... Another great show this week by the way

@MercenaryPen 2 ай бұрын

One of the politicial channels I follow has been mentioning a load of irregularities surrounding the Tees Valley Freeport so, in the event of a change of government, I think the entire area could do with a comprehensive audit...

@stephendavies6949 2 ай бұрын

Yeah, I've made the same point. We probably listen to the same podcast!

@rikrobson 2 ай бұрын

the Full West coast mail line electrication opens to Glasgow May 6th 1974.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Rik - you'll have to join us next time to find out if you're right and whether or not you've won!

@kimrennie5294 2 ай бұрын

Quiz. Launch of the BR double arrow symbol.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Kim! You'll have to tune in next time to find out!

@Jonathan_55018 2 ай бұрын

did we miss nigel all i can say is nigel who ??????

@tomslade3365 2 ай бұрын

Good one the tees area is a mess regards the mayors plan's the important bits are with the DoT egalscliff gage inharncment vital to getting the tees devlopment up and running need to be done 30 yrs ago ........ As for sultburn to bulby line the big Issue is not re opening it but what to do when it falls into the north sea ! as it is with in metars of the cliff edge. How would we get all that high value potash out of the mine other than by 100's of trucks aday ......

@davidwil58 2 ай бұрын

No point moaning about what should’ve been done 30 years ago, it wasn’t, and the mayor can’t be blamed for that! I don’t hold out much hope for the Boulby line re-opening to passengers either, but part of this (latest) feasibility study will be to look at questions such as you ask about the line being too close to the cliffs.

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

I don't think a passenger service would limit the ability to run the freight trains out of the Potash mine. The passenger trains won't return because no transport case will be made that stacks up the benefits against the costs. I would not need to spend £1m to figure that out.

@tomslade3365 2 ай бұрын

have had a reply from a david wil58 who says the studie is into moving the line away from the coast edge rout but he says the return of passangers is unlkley too happen . but the presovation of the mine conection is vital for what is very high value mainral taffic in to the docks at tees ..

@richardmellish2371 2 ай бұрын

Why so much effort trying to avoid having Stef appear?

@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын

What a bizarre comment! No effort spent on prevention at all! Literally none. Nigel was away.

@davidwil58 2 ай бұрын

I live in Cleveland, and Ben Houchen is very popular with a reputation for getting things done. For example, he’s already today announced a £1 cap on bus fares for under 21’s. I did get a campaign leaflet through the post but obviously binned ages ago. On another topic, is Stef any relation to Nigel? They look very similar!

@BenRattigan 2 ай бұрын

He might have a reputation for getting things done, he doesn’t get things done though. He has a social media account that has spent £90k pushing promises he won’t deliver.

@davidwil58 2 ай бұрын

@@BenRattigan Like him or not, it’s wrong to say he hasn’t done anything. He’d maybe point to the Freeport, Teesside airport, improvements to M’Bro station, Hartlepool station, TeesFlex etc.. not sure exactly how much is really down to him but he’s take party politics out of it and the facts are he has done things.

@BenRattigan 2 ай бұрын

@@davidwil58 I’d love to see the numbers on TeesFlex, everyone I’ve seen is empty. He didn’t fully fund railway station upgrades, airport is losing money, Teesworks has some serious questions over it. He likes a photo op, like in front of CCAD he had nothing to do with, replacement of Pacers for Sprinters he had nothing to do with. He pours money in social media campaigns to give the image he is doing far more than he is or has actual devolved powers to do. What the Tees Valley doesn’t need is another decade of broken promises and artists impressions of what could have been.