On Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:48:40 -0700, "
wrote:

On 9 Jul, 20:35, Paul Corfield wrote:
On Mon, 09 Jul 2007 08:32:43 -0700, "


To be completely honest I don't see that the FT report is particularly
correct. There are specified tests and criteria as to how the assessment
is made and trying to stop already agreed plans for closures will cost
Metronet even more money and thus increase the volume of the claim
against LU. While I don't like the line being closed earlier in the
evening I would much prefer that the line upgrade happens on time rather
than dragging on for year after year after year with the resultant
appalling performance that the Central Line suffered during its £750m LU
controlled upgrade. Do you really want to see the Victoria Line sink
through the floor in terms of service performance because there is only
so much time left for the trains, track and signalling / control
systems?


What i would really like to see is London Underground given the
political support from central government to hold Metronet properly to
account, rather than just saying that any money Metronet has to spend
to get itself out of its current mess, will have to be claimed back
from LU and hence the taxpayer. According to an article in today's
evening Standard, central government could actually bring effective
pressure to bear, given that the contractors behind Metronet are
heavily reliant on other government contracts, too. If such pressure
is brought to bear i don't see why it can't say 'enough is enough' and
put an end to this curfew nonsense - but that will only happen if we
let our MPs and GLA reps (as well as Metronet et al) know how strongly
we feel.

I wonder why you seem to believe the government are involved or would
bring any pressure to bear. The PPP is a Treasury invention and is
designed to ensure that cock ups that are the fault of the Infraco are
paid for by the Infraco and its funders / shareholders. If the
government wouldn't intervene to stop MG Rover shutting down in what is
a politically sensitive (for them) region of the UK then I really don't
see them really caring about the PPP in London. Under the devolved
governance arrangements the PPP is Ken Livingstone's political
responsibility and he seems to prefer the threat of him dismembering
himself in public before he'll stump up the cash. I also don't see why
you believe that LU does not have the support of the Mayor in its stance
against Metronet.

In real life it is more complex than this but the government cannot get
involved behind the scenes to threaten Metronet or its constituent
members. There are EU procurement processes and various severe
sanctions that would be brought against the government if it was to
interfere. It should also be remembered that this is "a two way street"
and there may well be things that the government urgently needs from the
private sector rail industry and if it is farts about with that industry
then it could be on the receiving end of a lot of bad news in years to
come. Not exactly what is needed when it is about to launch the High
Level Output Spec for the mainline network.

I've used the Victoria line more or less daily since I was a teenager,
it used to be brilliant, and i must admit over the last year or two
i;ve been thinking 'if it ain't broke...

Yes but the line *is* falling to bits. It absolutely has to be upgraded
and delaying it or cancelling it is just a false economy. I imagine
you'd be first at the barricades moaning like hell when it broke down
irreparably in a few years time because no one had thought to upgrade
it. The real issue is the 40 year old signalling and control system -
the trains can't move without it and much of it is obsolete and I'd
guess that in a few years time some parts will not be able to be
purchased or reliably overhauled. You then have no train service - not
what you, I or London wants or needs.

Admits to being a ****ed off newbie campaigner!

Yes you may well be but the fact is that the closures will go ahead and
provided it is well managed - like the Brixton closures in recent years
have been - I suspect most people will grin and bear it and will adapt
their journey plans. It is not as if Walthamstow is Outer Mongolia and
bereft of decent alternative transport links.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!