Grayling accused of snub to MPs over files on rail electrification
TRANSPORT Secretary Chris Grayling has been accused by the chairman of the Commons’ Transport Select Committee of refusing to hand over information relating to cancelled rail electrification projects.
Labour MP Lilian Greenwood said Mr Grayling had “promised to provide us with full impact assessments” for the schemes in South Wales, the Midlands and the Lake District which were axed or downgraded in July last year.
“I’m disappointed that we don’t have the full information in front of us,” she told the Secretary of State, who was recalled by the committee to give more evidence on the issue.
In response, Mr Grayling insisted that the Department for Transport had sent Ms Greenwood the “absolute up-to-date BCRs [benefit-cost ratios]” for electrification.
He claimed other documents, which said that the projects would have had a much more positive impact, were based on overall improvements mostly unconnected to electrification.
Ms Greenwood replied: “We asked for full business case information and the fact is we didn’t have that information in front of the committee.”
MPs obtained the documents only after they were sent by a third party following a Freedom of Information, she said.
Labour Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald posted on Twitter: “Chris Grayling has just told the Transport Select Committee that he didn’t volunteer and publish a report because he didn’t want to mislead the committee by giving them a report he didn’t agree with.
“Couldn’t they make their own mind up without his censorship?”
Mr Grayling told the committee it was better to focus on boosting capacity rather than electrification.
He said using bi-mode trains, which operate as either diesel or electric, would provide almost identical benefits to rail passengers.
Earlier the biggest rail workers union launched an angry attack on Mr Grayling, branding him a “specialist in failure”.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said the full “charge sheet” against the Minister should be taken into account.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Many, including plenty from Chris Grayling’s own side, are asking just how long this can go on.
“RMT welcomes the fact that Mr Grayling is being called in to account for his actions over cancelled rail electrification projects but that is only one issue where he should be under forensic investigation.
“RMT has tried repeatedly to engage with the Transport Secretary.”