Firstly - WCML was a Railtrack project which was taken over by Network Rail on its demise.
Secondly - how convenient to government that two electrification projects are running behind schedule. If they had used realistic timescales from the start with a proper contingency for those areas of the works not fully surveyed they might not be in the mess they are now. But of course government will just blame NR for all the problems while quietly undermining each and every project with unplanned cost reductions, re-scoping, redesign and re-scheduling all of which takes time and more money redoing things already done once before. The desired result of the cost spread out over a longer period, less work done of plainly put off for another administration to deal with but hey presto there your cost 'saving'. Thatcher and Major did it the whole time they were in office with only essential patch and mend carried out to the vast majority of the network. So it starts again.
You don't save money doing this, you just defer the spending for another time or reduce capability. The historic evidence is plain and simple to see if you choose to look research it.
Even if it is George being a smart alec if NR are asked to plan for a reduction in budget do you think they'll carry on spending on new project startup only for it to be canned next year? Of course not. The hiatus will start now with only committed spending on current contracts continuing. Everything else (including the private sector infrastructure supply companies who deliver most of the new work) just stop. So we then have another round of staff shedding thus perpetuating the skill shortages which dog the industry each time the treasury wonks get permission to press the 'feel good factor' spending button again (about two years before the general election) which now show up in the problems being experienced on GWML et al. When a revised budget is announced works already in abeyance stay that way. Committed works either continue, but maybe delayed or is stopped with whatever damages paid to the suppliers do that if the budget cuts that deep.
Nothing to do with HS2 - of course (which government dept is paying for both)?
I have to agree with all of that, unfortunately many, many years of under or indeed no investment have culminated in a archaic, unreliable and dis-jointed network. Ever since Beeching wielded his axe numerous governments have treated our railways as a boil on Westminsters backside!
To a point Beeching was right... we did need to streamline the network but the way it was done left a lot to be desired. Just closing lines and stations in addition to reducing the number of wagons and services, was never going to substantially reduce the running costs. A more tailored approach trimming back where needed and running a more cost effective railway (even if at a loss) would of served the country better and I believe would of left us in a much better position for the future.
The trouble was... successive governments from the 60's onwards failed to acknowledge that British Rail still had a big role to play, as far as they were concerned transport by road was the future and nobody had any faith in the railways.
The lack of investment left us with a still largely Victorian network which is now creaking at the seams. When Major started the privatisation process in the early nineties British Rail were out on their feet... ready to be systematically sold off to the highest bidder.
In truth had the oil price stayed low and the motorway network had the investment to expand to carry the extra vehicles that were then using them (ring any bells?) instead of allowing them to become clogged up and bursting at the seams, our railways would of remained under utilised and loss making.
As it is passenger numbers have increased steadily back up to pre war levels... the trouble we now have is that passengers want a ultra reliable 21st century railway run on a ageing Victorian network and pay as little as possible for the privilage!
You reap what you sow and in this case I truly believe that if this Government do the same as so many others have before them, we will be left with a shambolic rail system not fit for purpose... I do acknowledge that some parts of the network are virtually there already.
