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Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
[crossposted to uk.transport.london and uk.railway]
The Thameslink project now has all the legal powers to start construction - it just needs someone to agree to pay for it! The "Thameslink project" is the revised name Network Rail appear to use for Thameslink 2000, though they've also used the term "Thameslink Programme" in the past as well [1]. And the BBC uses the plain wrong term of Thameslink 2012! BBC News online story (replete with errors!): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6061960.stm Network Rail press release: http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co...Categ oryID=2 or via http://tinyurl.com/yz66p8 Snippets from the Network Rail press release... -------------------- THE £3.5BN THAMESLINK PROJECT CLEARS MAJOR HURDLE Wednesday 18 October 2006 09:45 The transformation of the Thameslink route takes a big step forward today as two key Government departments (Department for Transport and Department for Communities & Local Government) agreed to grant planning permission and legal powers to Network Rail to 're-build' the Thameslink route. [...] The future of the £3.5bn project now rests on a funding decision. Network Rail will work to support the Department for Transport as it seeks to establish a funding mechanism. An early decision would enable the company to deliver substantial passenger benefits before 2012. [...] Notes to Editors: In a written statement to Parliament, the Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government will today grant legal powers and planning consents to Network Rail for the £3.5bn 'Thameslink Programme'. This does not amount to a final go-ahead for the project as funding has yet to be agreed The Transport and Works Act Order gives planning permission and statutory powers to Network Rail, together with listed building and conservation area consents and consents for consequential rail closures. It follows the recommendations of the planning inspectorate's public inquiry last year into the scheme. The scheme will take estimated seven years to build with the ability to 'pause' the scheme for the Olympics. The project will start to deliver passenger benefits within the first three years -------------------- I haven't been paying very close attention to developments - can anyone provide some information as to how the Borough Market issue has been resolved? ----- [1] Network Rail - "Thameslink Programme" http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/1326.aspx |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
Mizter T wrote:
The Thameslink project now has all the legal powers to start construction - it just needs someone to agree to pay for it! Why don't they put it on eBay, and say that the successful bidder will get the project named after them! Of course, there is always the chance that someone will bid twice as much - ask to take the overpayment back in cash, pay with a bankers draft and then request the whole project is transferred to Nigeria where they're currently working on business... Jonathan |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
"Mizter T" wrote And the BBC uses the plain wrong term of Thameslink 2012! On uk.r we usually use the plain wrong term of Thameslink 3000. ;-) Peter |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
On 18 Oct 2006 06:33:30 -0700, "Mizter T" wrote:
[crossposted to uk.transport.london and uk.railway] The Thameslink project now has all the legal powers to start construction - it just needs someone to agree to pay for it! The "Thameslink project" is the revised name Network Rail appear to use for Thameslink 2000, though they've also used the term "Thameslink Programme" in the past as well [1]. And the BBC uses the plain wrong term of Thameslink 2012! Thank goodness - a sensible decision at long last. Now they've just got to smash open a few piggy banks. Perhaps Douglas Alexander is actually trying to make things happen rather than the "no absolutely nothing" approach of his predecessor? -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
Mizter T wrote:
[crossposted to uk.transport.london and uk.railway] The Thameslink project now has all the legal powers to start construction - it just needs someone to agree to pay for it! According to the BBC a DfT spokesman said that a funding decision would be made by *next summer*. It's all well and good having the legal authority to do the work (although I must admit this is a major step forward, and there will be no need for any further public enquiries and the like, thank God), but I wouldn't hold my breath. |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
T.:
The Thameslink project now has all the legal powers to start construction - it just needs someone to agree to pay for it! Jon Morris: Why don't they put it on eBay, and say that the successful bidder will get the project named after them! If it was a certain soap company, it could be Thameslink Lever 2000. -- Mark Brader | "One of the lessons of history is that nothing Toronto | is often a good thing to do and always a clever | thing to say." -- Will Durant |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
"Mizter T" wrote in message oups.com... [crossposted to uk.transport.london and uk.railway] The Thameslink project now has all the legal powers to start construction - it just needs someone to agree to pay for it! The "Thameslink project" is the revised name Network Rail appear to use for Thameslink 2000, though they've also used the term "Thameslink Programme" in the past as well [1]. And the BBC uses the plain wrong term of Thameslink 2012! snip I haven't been paying very close attention to developments - can anyone provide some information as to how the Borough Market issue has been resolved? http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/group...csp#P130_11986 Hopefully it will be somewhere in the inspectors final report, now online... Paul |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
Paul Scott wrote: "Mizter T" wrote in message oups.com... [crossposted to uk.transport.london and uk.railway] The Thameslink project now has all the legal powers to start construction - it just needs someone to agree to pay for it! The "Thameslink project" is the revised name Network Rail appear to use for Thameslink 2000, though they've also used the term "Thameslink Programme" in the past as well [1]. And the BBC uses the plain wrong term of Thameslink 2012! Hmmm. I recently obtained all legal powers necessary to purchase a Ferrari. I just need to find the funds to pay for it. Suspect that we'll need a few more rounds of "pay the consultants vast quantities of public cash" before a decision can be made on funding. |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
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Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
Colin Rosenstiel wrote:
In article , (Sky Rider) wrote: Mizter T wrote: [crossposted to uk.transport.london and uk.railway] The Thameslink project now has all the legal powers to start construction - it just needs someone to agree to pay for it! According to the BBC a DfT spokesman said that a funding decision would be made by *next summer*. It's all well and good having the legal authority to do the work (although I must admit this is a major step forward, and there will be no need for any further public enquiries and the like, thank God), but I wouldn't hold my breath. They did say "at the latest". There is a suspicion that it will be announced with the SOFA. Well, that's where I always look when I'm short of cash. |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
In article ,
John Rowland wrote: Colin Rosenstiel wrote: In article , (Sky Rider) wrote: construction - it just needs someone to agree to pay for it! According to the BBC a DfT spokesman said that a funding decision would be made by *next summer*. They did say "at the latest". There is a suspicion that it will be announced with the SOFA. Well, that's where I always look when I'm short of cash. Unfortunately there's a wormhole connecting the DfT's SOFA with our pockets ! Nick |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
Colin Rosenstiel wrote:
In article , (John Rowland) wrote: Colin Rosenstiel wrote: In article , (Sky Rider) wrote: Mizter T wrote: [crossposted to uk.transport.london and uk.railway] The Thameslink project now has all the legal powers to start construction - it just needs someone to agree to pay for it! According to the BBC a DfT spokesman said that a funding decision would be made by *next summer*. It's all well and good having the legal authority to do the work (although I must admit this is a major step forward, and there will be no need for any further public enquiries and the like, thank God), but I wouldn't hold my breath. They did say "at the latest". There is a suspicion that it will be announced with the SOFA. Well, that's where I always look when I'm short of cash. You can't read Uncle Roger or else you would know the acronym stands for "Statement of Funds Available" (from the government). We don't all read "Uncle Roger" here you know - last time I checked the utl charter it wasn't a requirement to read rail-interest magazines before posting! For all the ignorant souls such as I can you say when the Statement of Funds Available is normally, er, stated? |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
On 20 Oct 2006 05:42:13 -0700, "Mizter T" wrote:
Colin Rosenstiel wrote: In article , (John Rowland) wrote: Colin Rosenstiel wrote: In article , (Sky Rider) wrote: Mizter T wrote: [crossposted to uk.transport.london and uk.railway] The Thameslink project now has all the legal powers to start construction - it just needs someone to agree to pay for it! According to the BBC a DfT spokesman said that a funding decision would be made by *next summer*. It's all well and good having the legal authority to do the work (although I must admit this is a major step forward, and there will be no need for any further public enquiries and the like, thank God), but I wouldn't hold my breath. They did say "at the latest". There is a suspicion that it will be announced with the SOFA. Well, that's where I always look when I'm short of cash. You can't read Uncle Roger or else you would know the acronym stands for "Statement of Funds Available" (from the government). We don't all read "Uncle Roger" here you know - last time I checked the utl charter it wasn't a requirement to read rail-interest magazines before posting! For all the ignorant souls such as I can you say when the Statement of Funds Available is normally, er, stated? It is a new requirement that flows from the legislative disaster area that the government has foisted on itself via the latest Railways Act. The govt have to provide the HLOS and the SOFA and then ORR have to decide if SOFA can deliver the HLOS and if not decide that either a smaller HLOS is needed or a bigger SOFA! HLOS - high level output statement (for the rail network). What govt wants to "buy". SOFA - statement of funds available. how much is in the piggy bank that Uncle Gordon has given the baby Alexander. ORR - Office of Rail Regulation. The new fall guys for railway cuts - lovingly placed in the firing line by the civil servant loonies at DfT Rail. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
Paul Corfield wrote:
On 20 Oct 2006 05:42:13 -0700, "Mizter T" wrote: Colin Rosenstiel wrote: In article , (John Rowland) wrote: Colin Rosenstiel wrote: In article , (Sky Rider) wrote: Mizter T wrote: [crossposted to uk.transport.london and uk.railway] The Thameslink project now has all the legal powers to start construction - it just needs someone to agree to pay for it! According to the BBC a DfT spokesman said that a funding decision would be made by *next summer*. It's all well and good having the legal authority to do the work (although I must admit this is a major step forward, and there will be no need for any further public enquiries and the like, thank God), but I wouldn't hold my breath. They did say "at the latest". There is a suspicion that it will be announced with the SOFA. Well, that's where I always look when I'm short of cash. You can't read Uncle Roger or else you would know the acronym stands for "Statement of Funds Available" (from the government). We don't all read "Uncle Roger" here you know - last time I checked the utl charter it wasn't a requirement to read rail-interest magazines before posting! For all the ignorant souls such as I can you say when the Statement of Funds Available is normally, er, stated? It is a new requirement that flows from the legislative disaster area that the government has foisted on itself via the latest Railways Act. The govt have to provide the HLOS and the SOFA and then ORR have to decide if SOFA can deliver the HLOS and if not decide that either a smaller HLOS is needed or a bigger SOFA! HLOS - high level output statement (for the rail network). What govt wants to "buy". SOFA - statement of funds available. how much is in the piggy bank that Uncle Gordon has given the baby Alexander. ORR - Office of Rail Regulation. The new fall guys for railway cuts - lovingly placed in the firing line by the civil servant loonies at DfT Rail. Thanks Paul. Presumably the SOFA the government is willing to provide will never be big enough to accomodate the HLOS - but I guess by the contorted logic that's at work here it that disconnect becomes the fault of an independent body which is expected to deliver the undeliverable, and will get lambasted when they continue to insist 2+2=4. Hmm, great. |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
On 20 Oct 2006 09:58:37 -0700, "Mizter T" wrote:
Paul Corfield wrote: On 20 Oct 2006 05:42:13 -0700, "Mizter T" wrote: For all the ignorant souls such as I can you say when the Statement of Funds Available is normally, er, stated? It is a new requirement that flows from the legislative disaster area that the government has foisted on itself via the latest Railways Act. The govt have to provide the HLOS and the SOFA and then ORR have to decide if SOFA can deliver the HLOS and if not decide that either a smaller HLOS is needed or a bigger SOFA! HLOS - high level output statement (for the rail network). What govt wants to "buy". SOFA - statement of funds available. how much is in the piggy bank that Uncle Gordon has given the baby Alexander. ORR - Office of Rail Regulation. The new fall guys for railway cuts - lovingly placed in the firing line by the civil servant loonies at DfT Rail. Thanks Paul. Presumably the SOFA the government is willing to provide will never be big enough to accomodate the HLOS - but I guess by the contorted logic that's at work here it that disconnect becomes the fault of an independent body which is expected to deliver the undeliverable, and will get lambasted when they continue to insist 2+2=4. Hmm, great. We shall see. I suspect the ORR is being lined as the fall guy in this process. However ORR aren't daft and I would expect to see some deft political manoeuvring by all the parties as they make their respective cases. My long standing concern - especially when Darling was Transport Secretary - was that cuts are definitely planned for the rail network and the HLOS / SOFA balancing act was the way they would be imposed. Don't forget that the line closure process and "tests" have been substantially changed to make it easy to shut lines. However I do wonder if Douglas Alexander is a different character with someone of an agenda to make a positive mark. The difference between Scottish and English rail investment is starting to become more obvious and if there is tangilble political "upside" in Scotland as new lines come into service then political imperatives might drive a change in English policy. I'm also utterly bemused at Tony Blair saying we have 10 years to save the world from environmental disaster when his government haven't got a transport policy anyway and even if they did have one it wouldn't have any environmentally related policies in it! Joined up policy - hah! It's a real shame transport policy does not feature higher up the agenda of the majority of voters. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
Paul Corfield wrote:
On 20 Oct 2006 09:58:37 -0700, "Mizter T" wrote: Paul Corfield wrote: On 20 Oct 2006 05:42:13 -0700, "Mizter T" wrote: For all the ignorant souls such as I can you say when the Statement of Funds Available is normally, er, stated? It is a new requirement that flows from the legislative disaster area that the government has foisted on itself via the latest Railways Act. The govt have to provide the HLOS and the SOFA and then ORR have to decide if SOFA can deliver the HLOS and if not decide that either a smaller HLOS is needed or a bigger SOFA! HLOS - high level output statement (for the rail network). What govt wants to "buy". SOFA - statement of funds available. how much is in the piggy bank that Uncle Gordon has given the baby Alexander. ORR - Office of Rail Regulation. The new fall guys for railway cuts - lovingly placed in the firing line by the civil servant loonies at DfT Rail. Thanks Paul. Presumably the SOFA the government is willing to provide will never be big enough to accomodate the HLOS - but I guess by the contorted logic that's at work here it that disconnect becomes the fault of an independent body which is expected to deliver the undeliverable, and will get lambasted when they continue to insist 2+2=4. Hmm, great. We shall see. I suspect the ORR is being lined as the fall guy in this process. However ORR aren't daft and I would expect to see some deft political manoeuvring by all the parties as they make their respective cases. My long standing concern - especially when Darling was Transport Secretary - was that cuts are definitely planned for the rail network and the HLOS / SOFA balancing act was the way they would be imposed. Don't forget that the line closure process and "tests" have been substantially changed to make it easy to shut lines. However I do wonder if Douglas Alexander is a different character with someone of an agenda to make a positive mark. The difference between Scottish and English rail investment is starting to become more obvious and if there is tangilble political "upside" in Scotland as new lines come into service then political imperatives might drive a change in English policy. I'm also utterly bemused at Tony Blair saying we have 10 years to save the world from environmental disaster when his government haven't got a transport policy anyway and even if they did have one it wouldn't have any environmentally related policies in it! Joined up policy - hah! It's a real shame transport policy does not feature higher up the agenda of the majority of voters. A very good point about the astuteness of the ORR - after all, they did their own thing rather than the DfT's bidding when it came to the whole Grand Central/ECML/GNER/open access shenanigans (whether it's a good idea to have the network open to competition in this respect is another question, one that I'm in two minds about, but the ORR were at least enforcing the rules as they are at present). The notion of the HELA/SOFA balancing act as a method of determining where the inevitable cuts would come is also an interesting one, as is the idea that the actions and subsequent results of the devolved government in Scotland when it comes to transport may yet give the rest of us hope. I find it very sad to hear of the problems oop North, say in Leeds where the trains are packed as the economy expands yet the government doesn't really seem to have any plan whatsoever (apart from pricing people off the railways). In my mind it's a shame that the whole movement towards regional government ground to a halt after the unsuccessful North East vote - I don't for a minute place all the glory of London's transport system at Ken's feet, but he is committed to the system, demands quality and results from those involved and shows leadership - and seemingly the government sees that TfL can deliver and thus hands over the cash so it can continue doing so (helped of course by the fact that London is where a lot of money and influence is). Of course we've the great advantage that the Tories never quite got round to deregulating and ruining the bus service in London. Transport policy is in a mess. I wonder whether Mr Cameron's new bluey greenness might get Mr Brown into gear on the environment and transport - but that said, the Chancellor seems to have been the one who for the past nine years has been insisting Prudence hit the brakes when any radical transport changes came into view, so perhaps there's little hope. For all the talk of the prudent long-term view, when it comes to the upcoming environmental disaster the government's view appears very short sighted indeed. |
Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
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Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
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Thameslink project (i.e. TL2K) gets legal & planning go-ahead
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