Can We Not End This Stephen Byers Madness Now?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

As loath as I am to get knee-jerk tabloid journalist on you all, am I right in suggesting that Mr Byers is truly, truly incompetent. Here we see him dabbling in the fine art of planning the already agreed new ground for the Arsenal. He is such a liability that my brain is screaming conspiracy theories at me.

― Pete, Thursday, 17 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

As loath as i am to disagree with you pete, i'm pretty certain it was alway going to Byers anyway (DETR has a say in these things), but the feeling was if the council and Ken greenlighted it, it would pretty much be rubber-stamped and they could get on with it. So he's not really sticking his oar in, in that they were expecting it, but if he calls for a public inquiry they'll be up a creek sans paddle...

he is a bit of a watse of space though...

― CarsmileSteve, Thursday, 17 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Loath as I am to be picky Carsmile, Byers is the Sec of State at the DTLR. (Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions)

Basically, I think he takes a 'tough line' on stuff because he's out to make a name for himself as someone who can handle the big decisions. Though the whole Railtrack has hurt him, there's little doubt he harbours Prime Ministerial ambitions. When he was at DTI he was forever shooting his mouth off, announcing this and that, when there was really no substance. But there again that's a politician's job, innit?

― jobsworth, Friday, 18 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

From the report: "Byers's move is the second blow to hit Arsenal."

Only the second? what, ever?
(also, which is more correct, Byers' or Byers's?)

― Jeff W, Friday, 18 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I recon their should be be a public enquiry. Ashburton Grove is old railway sidings and goods yards and ought to be used as such again. If Kings Cross had a place to stash a few trains theri could be less cancellations and delays due to'late arrival of incoming trains'. And city centre goods yards can get frieght off the roads. This needs to be looked at carefully.

― Ed, Friday, 18 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Gosh how we love independent enquiries and reports. Ben may know which certain draft report has just been delivered causing no end of bluddy grief... spare stations @ Kings X surely calling out to be used for Eurostar link?

― Sarah, Friday, 18 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Shows what happens when you entrust the wellbeing and management of a country to egocentric little empire builders. Or is that the only psyche attracted to politics and/or management of any kind?

― XStatic Peace, Friday, 18 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

i don't doubt Byer's incompetence, but when did the ending of Railtrack cease being a GOOD THING [*] and turn into an example of his incompetence? no one can believe the rubbish still being spouted by Railtrack, can they?

[* however i realise what will replace it may not be much better, since one of the main people is someone employed by the Conservatives to carry out the formation of Railtrack in the first place, etc etc]

― michael, Friday, 18 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ending of RAILTRACK ceased to be a good thing when no alternative to replace it has been put in place. Therefore no accountability on who exactly is running the railways and much uncertainty leading to many necessary major capital projects being put on hold until subcontractors know who exactly is running / paying for the jobs (source: my mate working in traincare). Its been three months now.

― Pete, Friday, 18 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

five years pass...

happy now?

― acrobat, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 13:30 (eighteen years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.