Transwatch “Fact Sheet” No. 6 – Rail project costs

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West Coast modernisation estimated costs rose between 1997 & Feb 2001. 150 mph speeds were envisaged.

Ø       Rail modernisation includes stations, fuel distribution; parallels are not included for M1 ‘comparisons’.

Ø       The original M1 forecast was exceeded – even before hard shoulders, lighting, barriers, illuminated signs, CCTV, etc.

Ø       Railway bridges are built for a 36 tonne axle load, road bridges for 11.5 tonne.

An old cost for Train Protection is £1bn but rose to £6bn according to the press is now quoted as £3.8 bn.

Ø       Can see why he beefs about Train Protection Systems because roads will never have a comparable system to prevent road vehicles passing red signals, which is endemic.

Cost failures are mirrored by misrepresentations to do with capacity, safety & other issues, see other sheets.

Ø       It is his figures which misrepresent the facts on capacity, safety. (see Sheet 2 rebuttal)

His capacity & safety figures are worthless and therefore undermine ‘Fact sheet 6’.