“HS2 is a gamble and a bad gambler will always keep throwing money at something.”
There are many things that can be done to resist the tide. The first would be for ministers to make the philosophical case for where state responsibility ends, and personal responsibility starts.
We know that the Mayor’s bus route cuts are performative because we know he has better alternatives.
Conservative leadership has meant transport spending in the West Midlands has already increased seven-fold. But there is still more to do.
The more radical his plans are, the more resistance there will be. But one can’t serve up a municipal omelette without breaking eggs.
It now needs to get real. This is clearly the plan in the next few months, starting with the Queen’s Speech tomorrow, leading to the Levelling Up paper.
It’s not surprising that I do things differently, since I came to the role from a business background, rather than via the world of politics.
For too long, the workhorse of public transport has been a poor relation compared to trams and rail.
The London Borough of Bromley, which I am proud to represent, is a case in point – because cases remain relatively low.
This ambitious business case is based on our experiences not only of recovering from the last downturn, but on the successes of the last three years.
If you really want to see how we’re pulling together, the best example is taking shape now at the NEC, outside Birmingham – the new NHS Nightingale Hospital.
Plus: As of writing, I’ve had hardly any communications at all from constituents about the Coronavirus.
In the second piece of our mini-series, our guest author says that a switch to the scheme would most likely leave the average motorist better-off.
The Transport Secretary insists the Manifesto pledge to lower debt over this Parliament will be honoured.
The challenges over crime and poor transport links are quite different to those in urban areas. So are the solutions.