I note that Leader of Liverpool Council, Warren Bradley, has declared that Merseytram is dead.
"It's not going to happen" said Warren. He went on to point-out that it was not possible without Government funding. Refershingly realistic, but then it is not his pet plan.
An implication in his words could be "blame Labour" but some say it was the fault of the Lib/Dem City Council, dragging its heels for years, that scuppered the scheme when it had a real chance. Good thing too, in my mind.
Currently the exchequer is borrowing huge amounts of cash from the world's investors and mortgaging the nation's future for decades to come. So there is not a cat in hell's chance that Gordon Brown is going to think it prudent to throw £400m at a tram for a city where all its MPs are Labour anyway.
The Lib-Dems could perhaps hold the balance of power in a future hung parliament, but even in a dream world they are unlikely to make it a top priority to put the Tories' arms up their backs to stump-up the investment to make Merseytram happen.
So it is dead, and buried and £70m of public cash has been wasted on Merseytram. That's a deplorable waste of money - enough to clear the debts on the Tunnels, or launch three new ferries. But we have to put it down to experience... and hope THEY don't make the same megalomaniac mistakes in the future.
I have never been convinced there was any sense in making a "start" with a tram only from Kirkby to Liverpool. It had all the hallmarks of being a white elephant in the making. Without a complete network the tram could so easily have become an under-used embarrassment.
Also, I contend, there are far more cost-effective ways of improving public transport than building a shiny new tram for the big wigs to vaunt as their "big thing".
Clearly Merseytravel has the capacity to develop all kinds of "improvements" for the Liverpool City Region.
One is a new HQ for the organisation which will see it move out of Hatton Garden to the relative luxury of one of the dreadful black monoliths that are already blotting the landscape at Mann Island.
Another municipally-inspired folly, this group of structures should rightly be dubbed "The Three Disgraces". The idiocy is breathtaking and they will stand as a monument to Liverpool's build big mania.
Merseytravel has also, enthusiastically, taken on a leading role in tourism, although I am not convinced that providing facilities for holidaymakers is strictly within its remit.
Now, the Devil makes work for idle hands, and I dread to think what "big thing" could be next on the agenda if Merseytravel come to accept Merseytram really is history.
I sincerely hope they have a reality check and find things that are beneficial for the entire region.
Can they not see that it would be more practical to do many "small things" rather than lumber the city with grandiose schemes?
My favourite scheme would an extension of the rail network to John Lennon International Airport. Merseyrail is already there and aching to be connected to a terminus in the South, other than South Parkway or Hunts Cross.
Imagine the delight of the people of Southport, Formby or Ellesmere Port, if they could hop on a train that would deliver them to the door of JLA.
A pipe dream? Not so. There are two or three potentially viable routes for extending the railway.
A branch off Mererseyrail, across mainly disused land at Garston Docks, would be best. But there are other, more grandiose options, like a loop line (perhaps partially underground) serving JLA, and Speke/Garston.
Surely that would give Merseytravel something really "do-able" to work on.
Take a look on Google Maps....it looks tantalisingly easy!
Closure of the CUC in Liverpool - sad day
(Tue 03/01)
Banksy the religious bigot
(Thu 29/12)
The Big Yin is on his way... I can't wait
(Thu 10/11)
A tale of two museums
(Tue 30/08)
Rosie Cooper - we need more politicians like her
(Mon 06/06)
