Too many lines were scandalously scrapped
Benedict le Vay’s article ( RAIL 854) prompted thoughts about railway policy since 1945. It also awoke sorrowful memories. I join him in lamenting the loss of scandalously scrapped lines.
The ‘Widened Lines’ greatly increased connectivity in southeast England, both for passengers and freight. For example, Great Western condensing locomotives brought loads from Bishops Road to the Smithfield markets. Broad gauge trains at first worked over the lines, as ample clearances attest.
The axing (opposed by every county council concerned) of the Oxford-Cambridge line also damaged connectivity. Beeching did not propose closure, but under pressure from the Treasury to produce ‘savings’, the then Ministry of Transport condemned the tracks east of Bedford.
One excuse for cutting out the Woodhead route was that the 1,500V overhead system was obsolete and not convertible. After closure, the 25kV system was extended to Hadfield without difficulty.
Such woes, and many like them, incite doubts about the quality and competence of ministers and civil servants at Transport over many decades. Their actions, driven by the Treasury, have caused grievous damage and huge cost to the well-being of the realm.
Prof George Huxley, Oxfordshire
Benedict le Vay’s article speaks eloquently of the despair so many of us feel about the state of our railways. Let us hope East West Rail does