So, despite the quickly-withdrawn mistakenly tweeted announcement of a move
to party chairman, Chris Grayling survives as Transport Secretary. Given
May's inability to make further large reshuffles, he could be set to stay
in that role for some time.

That's probably good news for the third Heathrow runway, but not so good
for TfL; Sadiq Khan and Grayling don't work well together, and perhaps see
each other as potential future rivals for the top job. It also means that
Grayling's pet plan for formal TOC/NR partnerships will probably be seen
through to completion.

I know some railway fanatics loathe Mr. Grayling because he
does not take a negligent attitude to Network Rail's grossly
bloated costs. These demented fanatics refuse to accept that
electrifying railway routes needs to be done for a sensible price.

I'm willing to give Mr. Grayling some slack because he recognises
Network Rail's shortcomings for what they are. I particularly
like the way he is giving the East West Rail project to a separate
company.

In message , at 12:11:25 on Tue, 9
Jan 2018, Robin9 remarked:

I'm willing to give Mr. Grayling some slack because he recognises
Network Rail's shortcomings for what they are. I particularly
like the way he is giving the East West Rail project to a separate
company.

Sort of. What he's said is that for it proceed, a separate privately
funded company needs to own the project. Apparently this counts as
giving his full support.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 12:11:25 on Tue, 9
Jan 2018, Robin9 remarked:

I'm willing to give Mr. Grayling some slack because he recognises
Network Rail's shortcomings for what they are. I particularly
like the way he is giving the East West Rail project to a separate
company.

Sort of. What he's said is that for it proceed, a separate privately
funded company needs to own the project. Apparently this counts as
giving his full support.

Isn't there a billion of state money going in, too?

In message
-sept
ember.org, at 15:53:15 on Tue, 9 Jan 2018, Recliner
remarked:

I'm willing to give Mr. Grayling some slack because he recognises
Network Rail's shortcomings for what they are. I particularly
like the way he is giving the East West Rail project to a separate
company.

Sort of. What he's said is that for it proceed, a separate privately
funded company needs to own the project. Apparently this counts as
giving his full support.

Isn't there a billion of state money going in, too?

Not for the bits which still need doing now (I'm unsighted as to the
amount they've spent on the bits which are by now open).
--
Roland Perry

I have the impression that the project is unofficially split in
two. The realistic part - between Bicester Village Station and
Bletchley - is now going ahead with a large dollop of taxpayers'
money. The unrealistic part - the new build between Bedford
and Cambridge - seems to be making no real progress, with
neither the route nor finance at all certain.

Roland Perry wrote:
In message
-sept
ember.org, at 15:53:15 on Tue, 9 Jan 2018, Recliner
remarked:

I'm willing to give Mr. Grayling some slack because he recognises
Network Rail's shortcomings for what they are. I particularly
like the way he is giving the East West Rail project to a separate
company.

Sort of. What he's said is that for it proceed, a separate privately
funded company needs to own the project. Apparently this counts as
giving his full support.

Isn't there a billion of state money going in, too?

Not for the bits which still need doing now (I'm unsighted as to the
amount they've spent on the bits which are by now open).

That's not what I've read.

In article ,
(Robin9) wrote:

I know some railway fanatics loathe Mr. Grayling because he
does not take a negligent attitude to Network Rail's grossly
bloated costs. These demented fanatics refuse to accept that
electrifying railway routes needs to be done for a sensible price.

I'm willing to give Mr. Grayling some slack because he recognises
Network Rail's shortcomings for what they are. I particularly
like the way he is giving the East West Rail project to a separate
company.

I wouldn't mind if the abundant evidence from his previous posts (including
opposition transport when I first came across him) is that he hasn't got a
clue and everything he touches rots up.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

On Monday, 8 January 2018 20:31:13 UTC, Recliner wrote:
So, despite the quickly-withdrawn mistakenly tweeted announcement of a move
to party chairman, Chris Grayling survives as Transport Secretary. Given
May's inability to make further large reshuffles, he could be set to stay
in that role for some time.

That's probably good news for the third Heathrow runway, but not so good
for TfL; Sadiq Khan and Grayling don't work well together, and perhaps see
each other as potential future rivals for the top job. It also means that
Grayling's pet plan for formal TOC/NR partnerships will probably be seen
through to completion.

Ah yes Theresa's disastrous, useless and weak reshuffle. I don't think I've witnessed such an unedifying shambles from a governing party in my lifetime. All parties have their wobbles regardless of leader but this lot are just beyond useless. As I said about Mrs May during the election - "useless, hopeless and visionless". Every day just keeps confirming this.

I am no fan of Grayling (he's incompetent although he probably thinks himself a genius) but the risk with any move is that you get some other idiot in their place. The Khan / Grayling thing is a disastrous mess but at least both sides understand the relationship is fractious.

--
Paul C
via Google

On Tue, 9 Jan 2018 04:46:14 -0800 (PST), Paul Corfield
wrote:

On Monday, 8 January 2018 20:31:13 UTC, Recliner wrote:
So, despite the quickly-withdrawn mistakenly tweeted announcement of a move
to party chairman, Chris Grayling survives as Transport Secretary. Given
May's inability to make further large reshuffles, he could be set to stay
in that role for some time.

That's probably good news for the third Heathrow runway, but not so good
for TfL; Sadiq Khan and Grayling don't work well together, and perhaps see
each other as potential future rivals for the top job. It also means that
Grayling's pet plan for formal TOC/NR partnerships will probably be seen
through to completion.

Ah yes Theresa's disastrous, useless and weak reshuffle. I don't think I've witnessed such an unedifying shambles from a governing party in my lifetime. All parties have their wobbles regardless of leader but this lot are just beyond useless. As I said about Mrs May during the election - "useless, hopeless and visionless". Every day just keeps confirming this.

I am no fan of Grayling (he's incompetent although he probably thinks himself a genius) but the risk with any move is that you get some other idiot in their place. The Khan / Grayling thing is a disastrous mess but at least both sides understand the relationship is fractious.

It looks like the current London mayor will have to develop a working
relationship with the younger brother of the previous London mayor: Jo
Johnson is now Transport Minister and Minister for London. He might be
responsible for pushing through the Heathrow expansion, against the
bitter opposition of the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip...