policy

Government Gives Private Investment Green Light

2017-12-16T12:55:48+00:00July 10th, 2017|Tags: , |

The Government has given the green light to private investment in its new Transport Investment Strategy, published last week, saying: We are actively seeking to consider opportunities where private finance can play a role in delivering better value for money, or help us deliver more quickly and innovatively. […]

First new private railway in 100 years, Florida USA

2017-07-10T18:26:31+00:00January 17th, 2017|Tags: |

In Florida, they're building the first new privately funded railway for over 100 years with a company called Brightline. President, Mike Reininger, says: The idea is to make something more reliable, more comfortable and more convenient than the alternatives. Trends in the USA and the UK often follow each other. The Windsor Link Railway will also be the first privately funded addition to the core railway network in Britain for over 100 years, giving similar benefits of lower fares and better, more frequent [...]

The new PM’s comments on WLR

2017-06-01T14:59:33+00:00July 15th, 2016|Tags: , , |

WLR welcomes the new Prime Minister, Theresa May, who is also the local MP for Maidenhead. This is what she said about the Windsor Link Railway: Good train services from Maidenhead and Twyford to London are crucial, both for commuters who live in the local area and for local businesses. That’s why I welcome proposals from the Windsor Link Railway company, which could potentially provide much quicker journey times to south London and Waterloo. These have the additional advantage of being privately-led, reducing the [...]

Alternatives to WLR ‘poor value for money’ – official report

2017-06-01T15:04:28+00:00July 14th, 2016|Tags: , , |

An official report published by the Thames Valley Local Economic Partnership (LEP) has supported WLR's view that the needs of not just Windsor but also Slough are best served by the proposed linking of the two lines and new station. The report finds that all the alternatives to WLR for improving links between Windsor and Slough are all 'poor value for money'. The only exception to this is a replacement bus service which is undeliverable for other reasons. Assessment of the Windsor Link Railway [...]

Secretary of State re-iterates support for private investment in rail

2017-07-10T18:26:46+00:00July 2nd, 2016|Tags: , , |

Speaking at the National Infrastructure Forum, the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, said: And as we address the future and the consequences of our vote to leave the European Union (EU), one thing is certain. Investment in the long term infrastructure we need, has become more important, not less. Passenger demand is increasing; we are making twice as many journeys as we did in 1970. And so is the demand for economic growth. In answer to a question regarding the Windsor Link [...]

Shaw Report favours more private investment in network

2017-06-01T16:07:13+00:00March 16th, 2016|Tags: |

Nicola Shaw, tasked with the government of a review of Network Rail, has released her conclusions today. She has ruled out a full privatisation of Network Rail but says: Further options for involving private sector finance... should be explored to release government capital, encourage innovation, and speed up delivery of improvements for passengers. This is consistent with Network Rail Chief Executive Mark Carne's comments some months ago where he said: What I am in favour of is increased devolution to regional businesses. The first [...]

WLR evidence to Select Committee published

2017-07-10T18:28:31+00:00November 25th, 2015|Tags: , , , , |

The House of Commons Select Committee Inquiry into Surface Transport to Airports has ordered evidence submitted by WLR to be published. WLR's evidence agrees with British Airways, that the currently proposed links are too expensive and counter-productive, likely leading to worse traffic congestion if the airport grows. The Windsor Link Railway offers a solution to this problem, which saves the taxpayers almost a billion pounds. It adds direct connections to Heathrow and Crossrail from Windsor and Ascot (and improves links to Slough and Maidenhead) [...]

Windsor Express: Railway ‘shambles’ — and how WLR can help

2017-07-10T18:29:38+00:00April 11th, 2015|Tags: |

The Windsor & Eton Express this week splashes on the 'commuter misery as signals upgrade is dogged by problems'. On Wednesday, First Great Western managing director Mark Hopwood issued an apology and assured passengers it was working to reduce the likelihood of the problems happening again... The troubles continued yesterday (Thursday) when travellers faced a 45 minute wait between Reading and Paddington during the morning rush hour because of yet more signalling problems. The BBC has also reported Network Rail to be "sorry for [...]

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