Western Rail Corridor Ireland in the abyss?

"Iarnród Éireann will need to give serious consideration to closing uneconomic routes, such as the link between Ennis, Co Clare, and Athenry, Co Galway, which carries an average of just eight passengers per train. This grim statistic suggests restoration of the Western Rail Corridor from Limerick all the way to Sligo was a political fantasy."

Oh dear, truth or fiction? Is it the failure to complete the project (eg to Sligo, re-open Crusheen, integrate with the closed Waterford Rosslare) or was it always a way to spend EU money recklessly, which is to blame? I am glad I was at re-opening day when it all seemed so good.  http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0730/1224321093743.html . Picture is at Gort 30th March 2010.

Nexus' Misguided Debate on Quality Bus Contracts

This is one of the most misguided debates around at present and politicians who fuel it should examine themselves, the vast majority of the Tyne Wear bus network operates profitably at no cost to the taxpaper, if Nexus' Quality Bus Contract materialises, I am sure it really will cost the taxpayer. there is a lot of mischief going on in Tyne and Wear, it effects us next door and meanwhile no one seems VERY INTERESTED in the real issue of who runs local rail from 2014. PAH is what I say. http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news//2012/08/02/mp-bridget-phillipson-weighs-in-over-bus-routes-row-61634-31529746/?campaign=Newcastle_email_journalliveemail:20120802

Will Sainsbury commit or not? Prudhoe Town Centre

From Take Pride in Prudhoe.

About six weeks have passed since the Town Centre application passed. Prudhoe can hardly be said to have been overwhelmed meantime with information. Is everything well with the project? In the Courant there has been some briefing http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/news-at-a-glance/30m-plan-will-transform-prudhoe-1.970806?referrerPath=home%2F2.3307

. A key sentence has been pointed out to me. "the supermarket building, which has always been intended to be occupied by Sainsbury’s, although the supermarket giant has yet to formally commit itself to the project.". My informant claims to have this view separately expressed to him directly from a Sainsbury executive. Yet my memory of last summer's consultation was that Sainsbury was right in there. This was the consultation whose results were never published. Was there something in there which has discouraged Sainsbury? Are other factors in play like the new Morrisons at Blaydon? Is uncertainty once again the watchword on the streets of Prudhoe?

(added 24th August 2012: the new Hexham Courant reports that the consent is on the desk of the Secretary of State because in some respects it breaches planning guidelines. He is expected to either approve by 31st August or to call in for a public enquiry. There are many who will hope for the latter but I would not bank on it.)

(added 13th October 2012: there's not been a word since although the Duke of Northumberland is much exercised with water at Spencer Court in Newburn. Informally I reckon I have been told Sainsbury no longer interested,  the long awaited flood study of Prudhoe is being carried out, the Secy of State did sign off, but Northumberland West Area Planners at Hexham (whose chair was sacked for bullying in October 2012) are hanging onto the decision. The objectors say they are complaining to Europe and two town councillors tell me the Duke will do nothing before 2014. About half of this has been properly reported.)

(added 8th November 2012: Sainbury's walked away from Prudhoe.)

The future

This is my gaze into the future. It has occured to DfT mandarins that the North East is like the South West. A discrete local trains network. Handing us over to East Coast makes sense of Newcastle station and Heaton depot. Thereafter whether the North East gets a good deal or not is down to whether local forces come together to create the parallel body to Devon Cornwall Rail Partnership. ANEC is considering the issue but seems slow to organise a public debate so does anyone else. Meanwhile Nexus is in a full on bus war which is even on the front page of the Hexham Courant! However the East Coast option is even at bottom likely to be better than being part of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.

More debate at https://www.facebook.com/groups/233873179962922/

 

This one I missed.......................

There is nothing which excites the creative thinker more than to set an idea up and watch other folk grab it. I missed this meeting. This today is the first time I have found any report. Was anyone there who reads this? Can anyone provide a report? http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2012/06/06/north-east-facing-big-decision-on-railway-system-61634-31119960/#ixzz1wzuoFXkC . I wonder how many of the folk at that meeting knew I had been blogging about the subject since September 2010. I am willing to lay out a pint one did.

I then went through the ANEC councils site today and any mention of this meeting and the topic has eluded me http://www.northeastcouncils.gov.uk/default.asp nor can I yet manage to find any mention of the subject in here http://www.nexus.org.uk/ . I had emailed an enquiry about this to ANEC on the 20th April and received no reply then. I am trying again today suggesting they lead a public seminar on the subject.

(see for this thread the comment I have made to the After the Curry entry below)

Come back the Blyth & Tyne

http://www.newspostleader.co.uk/news/business/latest-news/9bn-railway-boost-sparks-calls-to-get-line-back-on-track-1-4753250

Fascinating one this and it may work for immediate neighbours.

But as of now I don't think any Northumberland scheme is in the package.

"Although no funds have been allocated to Northumberland as yet, it is hoped that the investment package, including £240m of improvements to the East Coast main line, could see smaller lines such as the Blyth and Tyne track being reopened too. "

Lavery has spoken to Greening, Opperman has spoken to Greening. Can some North East focus bring together all our aspirations? Logically it should be Bernard Garner at Nexus but where is the evidence that it is?

(My photo shows a non-passenger carrying passenger train at Newsham in 2000)

HIGHD APTIS no politics just a stack of tickets

We do handle assorted tickets. Here is one where HIGHD leaves us vacant? For leads on tickets search APTIS http://www.specialistauctions.com/auctionsearch.php?posted=1&keywords=APTIS&category=0

or Edmondson and check https://www.facebook.com/ThomasEdmondsonTickets . We have very considerable stocks needing new homes.