Long-term planning can be difficult during a time of harsh cuts and a great need for new investment into infrastructure projects, but the DfT has been criticised for sacrificing sustainability in favour of developing a strategic vision quickly.

Working quickly is a huge benefit to the rail industry, as decisions and new policies must first be implemented before any positive effects are felt. Creating value for money requires speedy action otherwise inefficiencies will continue to lose money that could have been better used elsewhere.

Yet more haste can lead to less speed. Creating a long-term strategy takes a long time and serious consideration into a multitude of issues, various levels of approval and compromise, and careful evaluation of the costs and benefits.

Of course, there is a happy medium to be found that delivers effective long-term plans quickly enough to satisfy everyone. But finding this balance would take yet more time and resources that we are evidently lacking.

So speed or sustainability? Is the former most important, and how can that decision be made?