When looking at the money wasted by government over the years through badly-negotiated contracts, ludicrous consultants’ fees, EU fines and ham-fisted restructures, it is galling to think of rail infrastructure projects being delayed and cancelled through a short-term lack of ready cash.
Unlike many of the above wastes of money, rail investment pays long-term economic dividends, both direct and indirect, and has the added benefit of making life simpler and more convenient for the people of this country – which is rarely included in cost-benefit analyses, but is still not to be
sniffed at.
Dr Elizabeth Haywood, who sets out the case for extending electrification of the Great Western Main Line into South Wales today, is surely right about the financial benefits that will accrue. Is it not time to listen?
