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procurement in 2007. From that point, the<br />

industry experienced a growing sense of<br />

marginalisation.<br />

‘There is a widespread opinion that<br />

the Department’s communication with<br />

the industry h<strong>as</strong> not, in recent times, been<br />

effective. There is dissatisfaction and<br />

disappointment. People feel like they have<br />

been heard but not listened to.’<br />

For years, the bidders were unable to say<br />

anything at all about their plans. Gagged by<br />

the Department, there w<strong>as</strong> no public debate.<br />

Rumours went unchallenged. The bidders<br />

apologised, privately embarr<strong>as</strong>sed that they<br />

could not answer legitimate questions from<br />

journalists.<br />

They said that ‘commercial<br />

confidentiality clauses’ they were ordered to<br />

sign from the outset prevented them having<br />

open conversations about even the b<strong>as</strong>ic<br />

designs.<br />

It would be churlish not to feel sorry for<br />

Agility Trains, in which Hitachi is the major<br />

partner. The company conducted itself with<br />

dignity throughout a process, that must have<br />

been endlessly frustrating, <strong>as</strong> it watched the<br />

goalposts move month by month.<br />

In a simple statement, the company says<br />

‘For years, the bidders were unable to say<br />

anything at all about their plans. Gagged by<br />

the Department, there w<strong>as</strong> no public debate’<br />

it understands the government’s wish to<br />

make a co-ordinated decision on major rail<br />

projects, and expresses its commitment to<br />

continue working with the Department to<br />

find an affordable solution.<br />

The new transport secretary, Philip<br />

Hammond, now h<strong>as</strong> an opportunity to wipe<br />

the slate clean. Hammond notes the report’s<br />

doubts over the technical fe<strong>as</strong>ibility of the<br />

bi-mode trains, but says in a written<br />

statement: ‘I see this <strong>as</strong> a lesser issue.’<br />

He says the government is already<br />

acting on the concerns about the sense of<br />

disengagement with the DfT: ‘In future, we<br />

will involve the rail industry more fully in<br />

decision making.’<br />

A fresh start with a fresh team will come<br />

at considerable cost. Five w<strong>as</strong>ted years, many<br />

millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money<br />

spent and a stalled c<strong>as</strong>cade of rolling stock<br />

and infr<strong>as</strong>tructure investment around the<br />

country that rested on this gigantic order.<br />

A lack of new trains would bring greater<br />

overcrowding: more p<strong>as</strong>sengers standing for<br />

longer periods of time, in carriages whose<br />

design is already 35 years old.<br />

For another decade – conceivably two<br />

decades – p<strong>as</strong>sengers will be using vehicles<br />

that date from the same era <strong>as</strong> the Austin<br />

Allegro, and that dump toilet w<strong>as</strong>te straight<br />

onto the track.<br />

Foster sees ‘…a question mark over the<br />

wisdom and practicality of continuing with<br />

IEP in its current form.’<br />

For a government looking to cut the<br />

DfT budget by up to 40 per cent, he h<strong>as</strong><br />

handed over £7.5 bn of future spending on<br />

a plate.<br />

Bad luck, Hitachi; it w<strong>as</strong>n’t your fault.<br />

Farewell IEP, at le<strong>as</strong>t in its present form.<br />

PAUL CLIFTON IS THE TRANSPORT<br />

CORRESPONDENT FOR BBC SOUTH:<br />

paul.clifton@railpro.co.uk<br />

If you would like your product featured here, call James Smyth on 01223 477428 or email: james.smyth@railpro.co.uk<br />

Express Medical Services<br />

Express Medicals h<strong>as</strong> recently opened a full-time<br />

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accessible from the motorway (M6), offers plenty of<br />

free parking for clients’ convenience and will become<br />

the main b<strong>as</strong>e for Express Medicals’ services in the<br />

Midlands.<br />

It offers a wide range of occupational health and<br />

screening services to complement existing clinics in<br />

the region (including Donc<strong>as</strong>ter, Manchester, Derby<br />

and Birmingham). Same-day appointments will always<br />

be available for core services and on-site services will<br />

be freely available, too.<br />

Clients will find that Stoke is a valuable addition<br />

to Express Medicals’ full-time medical centre in<br />

London and its other satellite clinics in Ashford (Kent),<br />

Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Donc<strong>as</strong>ter, Gl<strong>as</strong>gow,<br />

Manchester, Newc<strong>as</strong>tle and Southampton.<br />

l For more information, or to book an<br />

appointment, ple<strong>as</strong>e call: 020 7394 1788 or visit<br />

the website at: www.expressmedicals.co.uk<br />

Take out a subscription today!<br />

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PAGE 24 AUGUST 2010

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