The tough economic climate with higher construction costs, higher borrowing costs and high government debt may count against rail re-openings. Worryingly, Transport Minister Grant "Hapless" Shapps has suggested stopping East West Rail, intended to link Oxford with Cambridge.
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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said that he believes the remaining phases of the East West Rail project should be scrapped.
Speaking to LBC earlier this week, Mr Shapps made the revelation while talking about what he would do to cut spending if he were Prime Minister.
Grant Shapps told LBC’s Iain Dale, “…I would cut East West Rail on what’s called two and three so there’s the second and third tranches of it and save 3 to 5 million pounds straight away.” ***
His comments have been met with confusion by some who say he doesn’t need to become PM to cancel the project.
Cllr Michael Headley, (Lib Dem, Putnoe) is Bedford Borough Council’s Portfolio holder for rail. He said “It was shocking to hear the Secretary of State for Transport withdrawing his support for East West Rail.
“What really is outrageous is that he included the scrapping of the Bedford to Oxford section, which hasn’t been controversial.
“This was agreed many years ago and now he wants to backtrack on that commitment.”
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*** I'm sure that must be £bn not £m.
https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk...o-be-scrapped/