Rail industry rebuffs road lobby
Claims that road users should be given priority for investment over rail were rebuffed by Network Rail and rail group Greengauge 21.
The Taxpayers’ Alliance and Drivers’ Alliance, basing their research on 2007-08 figures of road investment of £8.2bn on rail and £8.3bn on roads, claim that although the amount invested is approximately the same the fact that more journeys were made by road should result in road investment taking priority over rail.
Greengauge’s Jim Steer came out in defence of rail and said “Rail use has been growing faster than car use over the last 10 years or so, you might say that’s precisely because we don’t invest as much in roads, but the truth of the matter is that it’s now clear that it’s a mug’s game to try to invest enough in the road network to meet rising demand. You just can’t do it. It’s perfectly possible to get a good rail system in this country it’s an achievable thing but to keep trying to expand the road network is impractical.”
Network Rail said the Alliances’ figures were “highly misleading” and added “Motorists should welcome investment in Britain’s railways as it is one of the best ways to reduce congestion on the roads. Anyone who thinks that the three million passenger journeys made every day could be accommodated by our road network is not living in the real world.”
The Department for Transport said “We make no apology for investing in rail,which is having clear benefits.”
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And if I wish or need to travel at 2am??? the car is outside, the railway is closed. I live in Hunstanton, (Norfolk)nearest railway station is Kings Lynn 14 miles away without roads how exactly do I get to the station?
Door to door Essex to Hunstanton return for two people:
By rail £134.60 a total of 6 trains and 4 buses over 6 hours.
By car £32.00 no changes 2 hours 10 minutes plus three empty seats and no problem with luggage.
I do this journey every weekend with my wife. Total for year by train £7000 Total for year by car Petrol £1664, insurance £240, Servicing £1000, tax £200, price of the car £1200 add it up for yourself with what I save I could afford a second car. I’ll stick with the car thanks.