Rail policies dominate pre-election transport discussion in the papers

Various aspects of rail policy, from Labour’s ‘very slow’ renationalisation to projects ‘on hold’ in Yorkshire, and the idea that Scotland should have full control over its railways, are all under discussion.

Rik Thomas

26 May 2017

The Yorkshire Post was less than enthusiastic about Chris Grayling’s alleged failure to commit to funding substantial upgrade to the region’s rail network should the Conservatives become the next Government

As the General Election began to loom on the horizon most media discussion on transport issues, which was as usual not particularly extensive, focused on the future of Britain’s railways to the virtual exclusion of all other transport modes.

On 11 May, for example, the BBC’s ‘Reality Check’ segment discussed how Labour proposals to renationalise the railways might work. “Labour’s pledge appears to resonate with the public,” the BBC said, whilst also...