The
Chancellor’s


plans
for
long-term
economic
growth
have
been
welcomed
by
rail
industry
observers,
because
they
include
substantial
investment
in
railways,
but
one
transport
campaigning
group
said
it
was
‘disappointed’.

Deputy
chair
of
the
National
Infrastructure
Commission
Julia
Prescot
said:
‘The
Chancellor’s
speech
recognises
that
half
measures
on
infrastructure
will
no
longer
cut
the
mustard.
Accelerating
investment
in
line
with
the
Commission’s
existing
recommendations
is
essential:
the
government’s
ten-year
strategy
in
June,
and
its
planning
bill,
must
now
give
investors
and
contractors
a
clear
picture
of
what
happens
next
so
they
can
invest
in
their
skills
and
supply
chains
in
anticipation.

‘The
green
light
to
unleash
the
Oxford
to
Cambridge
corridor’s
full
economic
potential
is
welcome
after
a
number
of
false
starts
and
I’m
pleased
the
government’s
ambition
matches
the
scale
of
transformation
we
envisaged
in
our
original
report
in
2017.
It
is
essential
that
the
transport,
water
and
housing
constraints
on
economic
growth
in
one
of
the
UK’s
most
productive
areas
are
removed,
and
filling
in
the
gaps
on
East
West
Rail,
improving
strategic
roads
and
concerted
action
to
secure
the
region’s
water
supplies
are
significant
steps
forward.
The
government’s
compelling
vision
for
the
corridor
must
now
be
turned
into
a
comprehensive
economic
plan.’

Mott
McDonald
transport
market
lead
for
UK
and
Europe
Thomas
Knight
added:
‘The
Chancellor’s
announcement
is
an
important
step
forward
in
providing
clarity
about
key
investment
decisions
which
will
drive
economic
growth
and
improve
connectivity
across
the
UK.
Mention
of
crucial
projects
such
as
East
West
Rail,
West
Yorkshire
Mass
Transit
and
the
A428;
which
we
are
proudly
helping
to
plan
and
deliver,
demonstrates
the
government’s
understanding
of
the
need
for
infrastructure
investment
to
support
growth.
These
schemes
are
vital
for
improving
regional
connectivity,
reducing
congestion,
and
supporting
sustainable
development.

‘The
government
presenting
a
clear
path
from
planning
to
delivery
with
commitment
to
cutting
down
red
tape
will
mean
these
projects
can
be
delivered
more
quickly,
while
still
prioritising
community
and
environmental
needs.

‘By
prioritising
infrastructure
projects,
the
government
is
demonstrating
a
clear
commitment
to
creating
a
more
connected,
resilient
and
sustainable
future.
We’re
pleased
to
continue
our
collaboration
with
the
government
and
other
stakeholders.’

However
Silviya
Barrett
from
the
Campaign
for
Better
Transport
said:
‘The
commitment
to
build
around
existing
and
any
future
railway
stations
is
very
welcome
and
something
we
have
long
campaigned
for.
As
is
the
commitment
to
improve
rail
links
between
Oxford
and
Cambridge,
but
we
are
very
disappointed
that
the
line
will
not
be
electrified.
The
Government
has
missed
a
trick
here.
Few
countries
in
Europe
have
built
any
non-electrified
track
in
recent
years
and
not
committing
to
a
fully
electric
East
West
Rail
looks
like
a
failure
to
future-proof
the
project.’

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RN336,
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February.