GENERAL ELECTION 2019: What the parties are promising for railways

ALMOST all of the political parties have now published their manifestos for the upcoming General Election, which is taking place on December 12.

As expected, rail has a presence in many of them.

Whoever wins overall control for the next Parliamentary term – single party or coalition – will need to tackle the controversial issue of HS2, and when to publish the Williams Report, but also what action the industry will take as a result of its recommendations.

In addition, the next Government will need to look at an early re-issue of tender documents for the CrossCountry franchise, or alternatively, a direct award in which additional rolling stock