I am sure this
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51272817 can be looked at in a multitude of ways, as the comments within it suggest.
I did think £500m wouldn't go far as the railway construction consultant within the piece suggests.
Is this a pointer to the Northern trend of transport announcements?
The
BBC» and informed sources suggest it's going to fund studies and planning ... from
The Sun come the suggestion that it ensures complete reopening of the two lines already highlighted:
The Fleetwood line in Lancashire and the Ashington-Blyth-Tyne line in Northumberland will see passenger trains return.
Meanwhile communities are being invited to pitch other rail restoration proposals. Cash is also being provided for another round of the New Stations Fund — which has already seen ten brand new stations in England and Wales.
Department of Transport officials have allocated £20million for new hubs — but have not said how many stations there will be.
The half a billion will go towards reversing the cuts to branch lines first proposed by British Rail chief Dr Richard Beeching in 1963. It ended passenger services on around a third of the rail network, closing more than 2,300 stations and up to 5,000 miles of track.
The Fleetwood line was shut in 1970, while the Blyth line, in a Red Wall Tory seat, was shut to passengers in 1964 but still carries freight.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he wants local railways restored to their “former glory”.
£20 million for new hub stations - "not said how many" says the article. If they're talking significant interchange(s), the answer is "one".
