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This morning social media’s in a froth because of some crap journalism from the mainstream media, including the BBC. It seems they’ve finally caught up with some old news that on the 20th July the Infrastructure and Projects Authority published its annual report into progress on major government schemes and infrastructure projects – like HS2. The media’s making great play of the fact HS2’s currently rated RED and the fact this includes the word ‘unachievable’ – leaving a lot of people horribly misinformed and thinking HS2 can’t/won’t be built.
It’s worth noting that (contrary to impressions given by the media reports) this is not an investigation into HS2. It’s the IPA’s annual report and HS2 is only mentioned in passing. There’s no discussion of HS2 in the main body of the report – only in the traffic light ratings.
The IPA uses a colour-coded system to gauge how scheme are doing progress wise, they go from green to red. The ‘red’ rating is described thus;
Note the caveats. ‘appears’ – ‘at this stage’ – ‘do not appear’ – ‘may need’, absolutist this is not. Of course, you’re not going to get the lazy journalists at the Beeb or other media outlets to explain all this – or the fact many projects that have been given red ratings from time to time go on to be completed successfully. Here’s another project mentioned in the same report. Crossrail!
Yep, Crossrail was also rated as unachievable at one time! Would anyone dare argue it’s unachievable now? No. Despite difficulties in delivery the project’s been a roaring success and already exceeded expectations.
There’s another rail project that was rated Red at one time too – the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) which was the design, build and delivery of the new Hitachi train fleets known as the Class 800-802 (or ‘Azuma’ if you’re on LNER). Here’s this from page 24 of their 2018 annual report.
The irony? The first IEP went into service in 2017! These trains are now in nationwide service and have been for over 6 years years on the East Coast Main Line, Great Western Main Line and Trans-Pennine express routes across the Pennines and to Scotland. More have been built for Hull Trains, Lumo and now East Midlands Railway and Avanti West Coast. So much for ‘unachievable’.
Oh, I could mention that the Royal Navy’s two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers were also rated ‘unachievable’ too! Here’s page 21 of the 2017 report listing red ratings in 2013-2014.
HMS ‘Unachievable’ and HMS ‘Red Rating’ at sea…By Petty Officer Photographer Jay Allen – https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2021/may/20/210520-carriers-at-sea-and-strike-warrior, OGL 3, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=105562576
Admittedly, there’s still problems with them, but now they’re delivered and afloat they’re off the IPAs ratings. The point is, these ratings are a guide, not gospel. Nor is the Infrastructure and Projects Authority there to cancel projects. Its remit is to aid successful delivery.
Sadly, the mainstream media won’t give you this analysis and background. Partly through laziness but also because there’s very few specialised journalists worth their salt anymore who know the background on these things. Which means the public is more misinformed than informed. Let’s face it. what did any of you actually learn from the media reports in the way of perspective – until I blogged this?
There’s a reason why HS2 is getting these red ratings – and it’s nothing to do with the actual construction of HS2 – which is going well. It’s due to the Governments meddling, dither and constantly changing their minds that’s increasing costs, causing delays and altering the scope of the project leading to uncertainties. But the mainstream media don’t mention that either.
Lord Reith must be spinning in his grave…
I’ve a small favour to ask…
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