MEP says cancelled train is 'good news'

Chris Davies

The derailing of plans to build a £7.5 billion fleet of new high speed trains has been given an unexpected warm welcome by Euro-MP Chris Davies.

Transport secretary Lord Adonis has announced the “postponement” of the Inter-City express procurement programme intended to build 1,400 new vehicles to replace ageing trains.

But Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies says that the plans are now almost certain to be scrapped and claims that it is the right decision even though millions in design fees will have been wasted.

“If a camel is a horse designed by a committee this new train was proving to be a camel with two humps,” he said.

“The idea was dreamt up by civil servants, combined electric and diesel traction in one train and did neither of the jobs well.

”Millions have been invested already, but Britain would have ended up with a train that would have been second rate by European standards.

Mr Davies praised the transport secretary for a decision he described as brave.

“Sometimes it is best to buck the trend and admit to mistakes. Andrew Adonis inherited this project from his predecessors, but has faced down his officials and allowed the next government to start afresh.

“He is proving the best transport secretary this country has ever had.”