No - not at all. And anyone with even the most rudimentary local knowledge knows this one is a complete non-starter. As indeed are the other suggested reopenings in Northants that usually get touted on these boards, for the simple reason they'll never make viable business case.
Hmmm... in your enthusiasm to write this reply, you appear to have confused my saying 'This is where you'd probably put the junction, if you wanted to do it' with 'My crayons have proved that this project has a fantastic business case. Shovels out, lads, let's go!'
There is always *a* business case and in fact I do agree - in a BAU world is probably profoundly negative - junctions, tunnel conditions, A14 in the way etc, although my attempt at doing that would be full of guesswork, hearsay and conjecture.
However, this is a long-term proposal, there's considerable uncertainty and a lot can happen. So that is why we always test some what-ifs as part of business case development. I think that if (and it's a pretty big if) there was even a snifter of positive in this one, it would be a scenario where
- Wigston-Syston Capacity Scheme has happened
- MML signalling has been renewed to deliver extra capacity - unless there really never will be any technology to allow Wigston-Harborough to go from 5 --> 7tph
- and...
+ maintenance costs
+ operating subsidy
When you look at the route, it goes through a lot of nothing.
If you really really had to re-open a line in the area, the Northampton-Wellingborough route would be a better candidate.
…this exactly. Which takes us back to the root cause of this particular bout of reopening discussion...
& a Tory ran county council that is effectively bankrupt...
Yes, and the bankruptcy has driven the restructuring into two unitary authorities (West Northants and North Northants UAs).
The regional strategy/urban plan work is now being done, and the proto-West-Northants UA consultation mentioned it, which is what gave Mr Shapps the cheap bit of PR in parliament.
West Northants interest is probably much more about whether it would help allow a significant amount of new developments along the rail corridor (my guesses being Brixworth and/or perhaps a substantial new settlement near the A14) - i.e. it would no longer be going through a lot of nothing, and there would be much more significant passenger numbers than a 'today-based' assessment would tell you.