July 16: Don’t backtrack on rail promises

Three weeks after The Yorkshire Post posed five questions for Ministers in a hard-hitting Editorial after Ministers halted the rail investment programme that is integral to the Northern Powerhouse, their unconvincing answers have now pre-empted today’s open letter to Chancellor George Osborne and which has already been signed by nearly 70 business leaders and entrepreneurs.

These are not serial complainants; they are business investors deeply concerned that any further delays to these two headline projects, and supporting schemes, will hinder attempts to increase passenger capacity on the railways as the North looks to fulfil its economic potential.

As Sir Peter Hendy takes up his duties today as Network Rail’s chairman, it should be remembered that four and a half years have already lapsed since Mr Osborne confirmed the electrification of the TransPennine route in the 2011 Autumn Statement. However, since the shock announcement to Parliament on June 25 about delays, it has since emerged that the Prime Minister, Chancellor and others were being economical with the truth before the election when they went out of their way to reassure voters that these plans were on track.

The key now is making sure the business case in favour of electrifying the TransPennine and Midland Mainline routes is so compelling, and in the best economic interests of the whole country, that it cannot be vetoed by Sir Peter’s review. If Mr Cameron calls this “griping”, then so be it. We prefer to call it standing up for the best interests of those rail travellers who have been shortchanged by successive governments for too long.

Fuel for thought

Where is long-term energy plan?

if ANY further light needed to be shed on Britain’s dysfunctional energy policy, it was provided by British Gas announcing a five per cent price cut – which will be welcomed by many – on the day that the National Grid forecast higher bills this winter because of the cost of implementing emergency measures to guarantee fuel supplies.

A total lack of forward planning and policy co-ordination by successive governments has left the country teetering on the brink of energy shortages which will hit households and, just as crucially, hit industrial output. It cannot be right that the UK should be left at the mercy of countries like Russia when it comes to coal imports or the various vagaries of the British weather – unseasonably mild temperatures were one reason why the lights stayed on last winter.

In this regard, the National Grid is right to see if mothballed power plants can be brought into service – but this is only for one year. Not only does the Government need a long-term economic plan, David Cameron and George Osborne’s favourite mantra, but there also needs to be a long-term energy plan. After all, the Prime Minister and Chancellor cannot expect businesses to improve productivity – one of the keys to future growth – if manufacturing firms and others have to restrict their hours of operation because of power shortages fuelled by political inertia.

In defence of MPs

Mary Creagh’s Corfu justice battle

THE emotional House of Commons debate into the deaths of Horbury siblings Christi and Bobby Shepherd from carbon monoxide poisoning during a holiday tragedy is indicative of the exemplary work that MPs undertake tirelessly on behalf of their constituents.

It would be remiss not to acknowledge this at a time when political trust remains at a low ebb. For, without the persistence of Wakefield MP Mary Creagh, the heartbroken family would not have won their fight for justice against travel giant Thomas Cook and others.

As Ms Creagh’s speech made clear, there is still much to do before EU-wide laws are introduced – carbon monoxide detectors should, just like smoke alarms, be mandatory at all holiday premises and the Government should be using its influence to lead the campaign rather than finding excuses not to act. The one comfort for Bobby and Christi’s family is that they have a local MP who will not let this matter drop, and rightly so.