Richard Bowker CBE @SRichardBowker Twitter profile

Last Seen Profiles

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

I do think the ticket office fiasco provides irrefutable proof, if any was required, that the experiment that began 20 years with the abolition of the Strategic Rail Authority and has continued with ever increasing micro management of the railway from within government (1/6)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Quote from HS2 Full Business Case April 2020 (para 1.16 - Strategic Case). “The West Coast Main Line is unable to cope with the growth in demand seen on the network since the Mid-1990s. The pressure on capacity is worse than initially thought with actual demand growth (1/3)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Credit where it’s due @railnigel . The Government announced 72 hours ago in their Network North pamphlet that they were looking to extend the tram to Manchester Airport - but here it is this morning. Built already. Wow. Shame my @northernassist service to Picc was cancelled…

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

Warning - major rail thread to follow! It’s been a tough week for DfT. First, @NAOorguk published a damning report making clear DfT had made a hash of pretty much every aspect of rail ‘reform’ since the Williams Plan was published. The NAO concluded “DfT is not yet (1/12)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

2 years

20 years ago (20!!!) I sat on the Board of Crossrail with Bob Kiley, Ian Brown, Jim Steer, Doug Sutherland and Jay Walder and we dreamt of the day when it would open. Today was my very first trip on @tfl Elizabeth Line - and it’s even better than I dared hope. #dreamsdocometrue

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

5 years

I have long since transitioned to being a Grumpy Old Man - my boys have long decided I am totally uncool and my currently doting 9 year old daughter will no doubt soon join them. But this is neither art, cool or down with the kids. It’s criminal damage and a disgrace. @RAIL

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

The industry needs to stop the sycophantic parroting of the latest Government “line to take" and instead say, and do, what is right. Or, at the very minimum, they need to get into very hot water with politicians for at least trying to do so. That really would be something. (6/6)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Today’s quote from the DfT’s published business case for HS2. “Alternative [to HS2] interventions to upgrade the existing WCML would not provide a lasting solution with the benefits fully taken up by the mid-2030’s and no further scope to increase them. Any upgrades to the (1/2)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

being in charge of cost, the business led decisions necessary to drive growth / increased revenue are no longer being made. And that's a disaster. Do not be deflected by whether we need public or private control. Rather, we crave a return to professional control. (4/6)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

9 months

@AllieHBNews What utter tosh. Private firms will not save the taxpayers billions. There are (and only EVER have been) two sources of money for the railways - fares and subsidy. Private money is simply a loan or equity investment. It will need repaying from one (or both) of those two sources.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Have spent the last few days carefully re-rereading all the published literature on HS2. I’ll be commenting more in the coming days and weeks but one striking thing is how rapidly Ministers seem to forget what they have said in the very recent past. (1/3)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

since, has completely and utterly failed. Government Ministers and civil servants of all political persuasions (so Labour, take note) have neither the skills nor the experience to make the correct operational, practical or customer facing decisions. (2/6/)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

@JohnBurnsMorgan @JamesHarrisNow @PaulMBigland @railnigel @zelo_street Rubbish. I commissioned the first major scoping study when at the SRA (Atkins did it for us) in 2002 and it was about capacity from the start. It may have been explained badly ever since, I’ll give you that, but it’s always been about capacity, capacity, capacity.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

The most recent 6 monthly report to Parliament on HS2 by @HuwMerriman makes fascinating reading (see end of tweet for link). It’s calm and measured with no ‘alarm’, ‘spiralling’ or ‘out of control’ rhetoric. It notes that inflation is causing concerns (but doesn’t go mad (1/4)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

@Mike_Fabricant Completely bizarre nonsense from someone who has neither the professional qualifications to make such ludicrous claims regarding major capital projects nor the practical experience of ever having to implement the colossal and disruptive “so called” upgrade he proposes.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

We've just about got enough competent experienced railway professionals to turn this around but only if we act now. 700,000 people have shown what happens when they rise up and say 'No - enough'. They can change a policy. So now is the time for the industry to grow a spine. (5/6)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

One of the big problems is the current culture of cost reduction above all else. Nothing wrong with a tight grip on costs as that's what all successful organisations do. But when the P&L of the railway is split as it is today with HM Treasury getting the revenue but DfT (3/6)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Watching @itvcycling highlights of Criterium du Dauphine made me realise how much better (by a factor of c 1 million) is @itvcycling than @eurosport Better commentary, interviews, editing and anchoring. But, oh, the commentary. @nedboulting and @millarmind - just awesome.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

the West Coast was anyway always a more leisure and business oriented mix than commuting. 3. The idea that we all just just Zoom / Teams in the future is evidentially wrong. (3/3)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Thought for the day - from Andrew Stephenson’s Foreword to the HS2 Phase 2b update in the Strategic Business Case in 2022 (when he was Minister of State for HS2). “Our current Victorian rail network is the oldest in the world. After decades of underinvestment and rapidly (1/4)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

6 months

I fear too many people are overthinking what has been announced today. Plenty of time for detail, but the sense of urgency in @LouHaigh ’s plan (Page 14 - Plan for urgent action) is great to see. Best way to re establish trust is to get the basics right. The rest will follow.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

6 years

In the process of moving House and getting stuff ready to transfer. This is still one of my most valued possessions. Am quite attached to the kids as well but it’s close.... ⁦ @RAIL ⁩ - hope you approve!

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

much higher than the growth forecasts underpinning the 2013 business case for {HS2} Phase 1.” Notes - 1. this was despite £14 BN spent on the route modernisation 20 years ago - which just kicked the can down the road. 2. Covid 19 has caused a blip - but growth is back and (2/3)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

3 years

@grantshapps @RAIL I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Given the issues facing the railway at the moment, we need an inspiring leader, not diversion tactics (GBR HQ location is 975th on the priority list). This is someone auditioning for the local am drams. Cringeworthy and ill judged.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

11 months

At Cheltenham. 13.15 to Cardiff (XC) cancelled through lack of trains (shame about those HSTs). 13.23 to Paddington (GWR) cancelled through train fault. 13.15 to C’field XC running late. Peter Parker referred to the crumbling edge of quality. This feels worse. #sortoutthebasics

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

@BBradley_Mans No Ben, he hasn’t. Money for HS2 was to be borrowed. Your ‘pot’ will have to be borrowed as well - no headroom until deep into the next Parliament. Also, note footnote on page 24 of the Network North pamphlet - projects still have to be costed with business cases that stack up.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

existing WCML would involve substantial costs, be massively disruptive for passengers over many years and result in a more overcrowded and less resilient network.” #consequencesofnoHS2 (2/2)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

In readiness for talking about HS2 with @JustinOnWeb on @BBCr4today , I reminded myself what @grantshapps said in the Foreword to the Integrated Rail Plan in 2021 (and nothing other than inflation has changed since then). He said “The Integrated Rail Plan for the North and (1/5)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

it in due course. After all, there are some things that will never change! @railnigel and I will be discussing this on next week’s @greensignallers . Check us out on all major podcast platforms and YouTube. I doubt either of us will be holding back. (12/12)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Today’s quote from the DfT HS2 Full Business Case: “HS2 will provide strong connections between key urban centres, and connected programmes such as Northern Powerhouse Rail and Midlands Rail Hub, improving connectivity between the cities of the Midlands and the North (1/3)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

5 years

Credit where it’s due @CalSleeper . That was an excellent London to Edinburgh trip from start to finish. Staff were outstanding and Mk5 stock really good. Loved the shower too. Oh, and the breakfast was a far, far cry from what has been in the past. 10/10. @AlexHynes @RAIL

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

You just can’t beat a steam train that goes down the middle of an urban high street. Every town should have one. Bad Doberan. Germany. 1995.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Standing passengers from Leicester to St Pancras this morning on the 07.32 @EastMidRailway train to London. Short formed again - second time in as many trips for me (the same train). No wonder non leisure passenger ridership not recovering as fast as we’d like (or need).

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

9 months

The rather lovely @GWRHelp ticket office Chippenham doing a roaring trade on a Saturday afternoon doing what a ticket office does well. Shocked I tell you, shocked!

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

3 years

I have some lovely railway pieces from my years in the industry but this fabulous “ballast triptych” by @bessbbe will have pride of place. It is so beautifully done and it shines a light on a huge issue. Bessie, you’re an inspiration . @rail - check this out! #samaritans

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

- just 3 months ago. So what’s changed? With a party conference starting tomorrow, perhaps the last before a GE, may it be political imperative? If so, it’s a mistake to play politics with the future of the North of England (4/4)

HS2 6-monthly report to Parliament: June 2023

Review of HS2 including programme update, benefits, local community impact and engagement, land and property, programme governance and a forward look.

www.gov.uk

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

is fundamental to the delivery of NPR and provides infrastructure at six key points as well as providing the high speed line the NPR will use between Manchester Piccadilly and Hoo Green Junction.” Don’t know about anyone else, but ‘fundamental’ sounds pretty clear to me. (3/3)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

3 years

Sadly, the planned loco (Clun Castle) wasn’t available today but full marks to ⁦ @Vintage_Trains ⁩ for pulling out all the stops and for a superb trip to Stratford and back. And who doesn’t love a bit of EE vintage traction (wouldn’t you agree ⁦ @Captain_Deltic ⁩!)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

This is still proudly displayed at my local (and rather lovely) station of Grindleford. Can’t be TOO many of these signs left would you say @RAIL ?

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

@PaulHowellMP Nope. Completely wrong. Literally completely wrong. Not only are all the journey benefits that HS2 would have delivered to the NE now lost, the funding you claim is released was only borrowing. You will still have to make a case to borrow the money for your schemes.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

the common thread to the problems of the last 10 years - is the DfT. They are doing (or trying to do) things they are sadly lacking in the skills and experience to do. It needs to stop. Remarkably, there are still a sufficient number of high calibre rail managers (8/12)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

@RHarrabin @BBCJustinR @ProfMarkMaslin @IOM_UK What myopic nonsense. Doing this to HS2 means no capacity transformation on the current railway - drastically constraining our ability to add more local, regional & freight services. Rail should play a central role in a decarbonising economy but mutilating HS2 stymies that.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

2 years

@bessbbe Ah, but THIS is how you feel proper nostalgic when it comes to a bit of thrash. Here’s my childhood in 40 seconds of video ❤️❤️

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

if you enjoy listening to folks getting completely tied in knots, @Mark_J_Harper is a good place to start. Starts around 36:50. It appears ‘Network North’ has now morphed into a list of examples of the sorts of things that folks might like to dream about.

BBC One - Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, What would Keir Starmer be like as PM?

Victoria Derbyshire speaks to Labour leader Keir Starmer.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

11 months

Fantastic load on a mid morning service from Paddington to Cheltenham. I must be dreaming though because apparently rail travel demand has fundamentally changed. This is because as @grantshapps said “in a word - Coronavirus”. 😳

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

9 months

@harry_horton @itvnews @andy4wm @AndyBurnhamGM The very essence of a blithering idiot. I have concerns re elements of what the Mayors’ are trying to do but they’re spot on realising new capacity is needed and should be supported in that endeavour. Shapps hasn’t even read what they are proposing, so best to keep his trap shut.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

without. We need to focus on delivering a safe, boring, predictable, reliable and simpler railway. If we can do that and be allowed to get on with it - growing the railway and its revenue in the process as we would - we wouldn’t mind politicians taking the credit for (11/12)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

is apparently going to be “focused on the day to day operational performance of the railway” - yet it’s the one thing everyone else connected with the railway agrees the DfT should be nowhere near. Not content with dozens of people already employed in GBRTT at taxpayers’ (5/12)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

For example, there was a suggestion by Ministers recently that Northern Powerhouse Rail was not dependent on HS2 Phase 2b to Manchester. That’s curious since in January 2022, Government said in the Strategic Update to the Business Case (para 1.101) “HS2 Phase 2b WL (2/3)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

@JamesHarrisNow @JohnBurnsMorgan @PaulMBigland @railnigel @zelo_street NPR is indeed completely undeliverable without the Manchester approaches that HS2 delivers. But apparently, it’s about winning votes now instead of doing what the country needs and what works. HS2 is about releasing regional and local capacity above ALL else.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

expense planning how to bring infrastructure & operations together, the DfT have decided to set up a new group to double guess them. Sadly, this is a typical response from a government dept faced with a colossal problem of their own making - set up more oversight, more (6/12)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

Oh good. A proper train to Peterborough. Now, if it just said InterCity…….🤔

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

8 months

Ah, the sight and sound of a forty. 40013 thunders through Lockerbie on the southbound leg of The Whistling Highlander. With thanks to my brother Paul for the footage.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

who can get us out of this mess but they need to be liberated, empowered and held accountable to get us back on track. Time is running out though. We do not need any more hapless Sir Humphreys. We do not need more reorganisations and I’m not sure we even need the Rail (9/12)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

6 months

I really do urge everyone interested in railways and UK manufacturing to check this out on our Green Signals YouTube account midday Tuesday 9th April. Nick was superb - measured, professional and passionate about Derby and UK rail vehicle manufacturing.

Green Signals

@greensignallers

6 months

Coming tomorrow… interview with @AlstomUK MD Nick Crossfield on the desperate situation in Derby – a knife edge between oblivion and becoming a global centre of train building excellence. But @transportgovuk must act now. Subscribe on YT to watch tomorrow

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

set up to secure value for money from its work to reform rail.” Depressing, since they’ve had 3 years to do so and the Williams Plan itself wasn’t written overnight. We might now conclude they are incapable of doing it though we should not be surprised. DfT have an awful (2/12)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Thrilled to announce the first episode is now ‘live’ for Green Signals, the brand new railway podcast I am doing with @railnigel . We are on Spotify from today but we’ll have other platforms set up soon plus a website and our own YouTube channel (1/2)…..

Green Signals

Podcast · Green Signals Productions · Green Signals is a show about railways - its politics, its economics, its people and history. We turn over the issues of the day and talk to the people making...

open.spotify.com

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Got to do some amazing things when Chair of SRA. Didn’t take nearly enough pics but did find this when sorting some old pics last night. Taken on the Willesden - Newcastle TPO (with Jonathan Riley from SRA) in pretty much the last week of TPO’s. Another world now….

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

3 years

@theHREgroup @NationalHways This is insane. Have you seen this place!! @RAIL @christianwolmar - we need to get as many senior rail, environmental and engineering folks to assemble, on site, and make the biggest possible noise / protest. Proper photo op and media circus. I’m in. Who else can we get involved?

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

so- called governance and more debilitating red tape in the name of getting a grip. Instead, they should take an axe to their own organisation. Hopefully @LouHaigh will do so when she gets the chance. The penny has still not yet dropped with DfT officials or Ministers that (7/12)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

I don’t agree with all Boris says here, not least because there are reasons why it’s harder to do certain things in China than the UK - and we’re better off for many of them. But the thrust of Boris’s argument is correct. Only a blithering idiot would cancel HS2 to Manchester.

Jim Pickard 🐋

@PickardJE

1 year

Boris Johnson takes a massive swipe at Rishi Sunak’s plan to axe the northern part of Hs2

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Those are powerful words and the Minister was correct. Now we need action from @RishiSunak @Mark_J_Harper to deliver on the promises made. (4/4)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

track record of leading major projects (HS2), leading operational performance improvements or just about anything when it comes to managing risk in complex commercial environments. This has not stopped them thinking they can though. The week’s second DfT ‘moment’ is (3/12)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

4 years

I don’t cry all that often but I cried today. RIP Neil - it was a real honour to get to know you. That night in Berlin when, over far too many beers, the two of us put the world to rights will forever make me smile and think of much happier times.

Neil Black: Former UK Athletics performance director dies aged 60

Neil Black, the former performance director of UK Athletics, has died aged 60, the organisation confirms.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Well, Grant Shapps was right and nothing has changed since then. Without HS2 Phase 2 we will not be able to justify NPR and the benefits he described will not come to pass. @AndyBurnhamGM was right to describe that as a disaster. So, let’s stop dithering and get it built. (5:5)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

yet another reorganisation. More ‘deckchairs on the Titanic’? No, possibly worse, with the creation of a new Rail Infrastructure and Services Delivery Group - DG yet to be announced. This snappily entitled super group (4/12)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Hopefully should be on BBC Radio 4 Today programme at 08.30 tomorrow talking about HS2 and the impact on East West connectivity in the North if Phase 2 doesn’t happen. Things may change of course - but 08.30 (or thereabouts) Tuesday 26th is currently the plan!

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

committed to taking HS2 to Manchester and there are lots of fun facts in the report about tunnelling as well as some genuinely good stuff about sustainability, apprenticeships and local community engagement. All calm, all clear. No sense of a crisis, yet this was June 2023 (3/4)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

Reform Bill in its current form. Instead of creating the yearned for simplicity, it seems hell bent instead on replacing one form of contractual matrix with another, and no fewer interfaces in the process. No, we need strong leadership and clear direction from within, not (10/12)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

3 years

One has to love a bit of classic English Electric traction. Loved those 20’s @RAIL @Staplefordtrain , but this is the real deal- a great day out with @pipdunn to Plymouth and back. Here we are at Crewe on the way home.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

9 months

Given the very challenging weather conditions across the railway over the weekend, to see this at Chippenham on Monday morning is impressive. Well done @GWRHelp @networkrail

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

9 months

The 13.10 from Chippenham to Bath Spa. Absolutely rammed. Which is of course good to see at one level. #fullandstanding

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

about it because as we all know, inflation only really an issue if it causes real future costs and benefits to deviate). It notes HS2 has spent 33% of its contingency but the government has spent NONE of its £5bn contingency for Phase 1. Huw restates the government is (2/4)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

@LouHaigh The ‘Tories’ broken bus system’ is a most curious thing to say since you had between 1997 and 2010 to change the deregulated model but chose not to. Care to explain why?

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

8 years

At a glorious AFC Telford to watch @England England U19 v Holland U19. Great to see so many families and kids.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

@JohnBurnsMorgan @JamesHarrisNow @PaulMBigland @railnigel @zelo_street HS2 has nothing to do with capacity? That statement is literally and demonstrably completely wrong.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

Watch this space……..🙄

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

6 months

He was absolutely superb as well. Candid, clear and happy to chat about anything. A really super interview that I think folks will find interesting and informative, even if they don’t agree with everything he says.

Green Signals

@greensignallers

6 months

We said he'd agreed to join us on the show & he did! Last week, we met Rail Minister @HuwMerriman at his @transportgovuk office to record a Big Interview. We cover HS2, @ASLEFunion strikes, fares, rail reform, you name it. Subscribe to be notified!

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 years

EE heaven at Derby early this morning. Sorry for the poor light in the photo (and the Goyle). However, I was transported back in time.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

rising demand, it is no longer capable of supporting our 21st century needs. We need a more resilient, reliable and sustainable railway, that can improve opportunities for millions of people, particularly in the North and Midlands, and contribute to an improved standard of (2/4)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

5 years

@XRebellionUK I approved the Strategic Rail Authority’s review into HS Rail in 2002/3 from which we eventually got HS2 - the most pro climate project this country currently has. I believe in the absolute right to different opinions. But on HS2, you have been badly misled. @RAIL

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

living for generations to come. HS2 is spearheading the development of a world class rail network for Britain……and has vast potential not only to transform journeys but also spread the benefits of economic growth and prosperity across the UK.” (3/4)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 years

@LauraPidcockMP @UKLabour @RMTunion @TSSAunion @ASLEFunion Dear Laura. I was Chair of the SRA for 3 years, appointed by a Labour Government. Could you provide empirical evidence to support your claim we now have lower safety standards? Many hard working railway workers will be deeply concerned by these, as yet, unsubstantiated claims.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

11 months

@Mark_J_Harper What’s extraordinary is that someone in Government PR read that copy, thought about it in the context of what’s going on at the moment (and in particular, the use of the word ‘party’) and thought “yep, that’ll do it’” and pressed Send. Really quite extraordinary.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

@Alex_Stafford I despair. I really do. Scrapping HS2 means intercity services from Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds to Birmingham and London remain on the existing network. Your East West connectivity will be then be rendered pointless because the capacity won’t exist to support it.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

10 months

@seatsixtyone Time for a directing mind to bring an end to this guiding mind narrative. We’re deluding ourselves if we think market forces are going to resolve the current mess.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

6 months

You may not agree with all @HuwMerriman says here but I urge everyone to listen with an open mind. He does not duck anything and although there are times when the politician’s skill is deployed, he is direct & straightforward. His genuine love for the railway is very clear.

Green Signals

@greensignallers

6 months

The moment you've been waiting for since we announced this yesterday - our interview with @HuwMerriman at his @transportgovuk office is now on YT and Spotify! Watch it here: and do let us know what you think!

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 months

Subject to any last minute changes, I should be on “Wake Up to Money” ( @bbc5live ) at 05h30 and @BBCr4today at 06h15 tomorrow, Thursday 4th, to discuss the problems facing the train manufacturing sector in the UK. The recent announcement from @AlstomUK has serious implications.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 years

Splendid rural railway scene at Bedale. Very pleasant market town to stop off at on way north up A1

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

2 years

@theHREgroup @matthew_weaver @guardian @EdenCouncil @NationalHways This is the MOST wonderful news. Have you seen this @rail @christianwolmar I’ve never been big on ‘and now heads must roll’ but on this occasion, at least, the CEO of National Highways must formally apologise as well as scrap this policy of unwarranted vandalism.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

10 months

@Captain_Deltic @gceccles @GordonDudman @SteveWhiteRail @railnigel Deliver a safe, predictable, reliable and frequent railway service with sufficient rolling stock to do it as comfortably as possible. Then do it again the next day. And every single day after that remaining constantly vigilant and always looking to improve safety & performance.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

6 years

You feel for those who fall for this absolute tosh. It’s unhelpful - gives false hope to those dreaming of reopening a whole raft of ludicrous schemes. When will people learn basic economics - just because a 2x2 car DMU is full does not justify £350m capex being spent on it!!

Philip Haigh

@philatrail

6 years

More talking. DfT tends to punt this story when it has some bad news coming.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

7 years

44008 Penyghent in the shadow of Riber Castle today. All very festive!

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

9 months

@concaveasitwere @railnigel @AllieHBNews I just hate BS. I firmly believe 2a could be financed using private capital - but it still will need to repaid from those two sources. It can’t be “avoided”.

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

enabling businesses to work together more efficiently could also encourage higher foreign investment into the Uk.” @AndyBurnhamGM @LCRMayor @MayorofLondon @MayorOfWY @andy4wm and @henrimurison @ right to keep demanding full HS2 for the good of the country as a whole. (3/3)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

9 months

Getting ready to record another epic @greensignallers show with @railnigel and @stefatrail (and a very special guest….!) Just need to grab a coffee and we’re good to go!

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

we will build the core Northern Powerhouse Rail Network, which will include 40 miles of a new high speed line between Warrington and Yorkshire, and complete the electrification of the Trans-Pennine Route. These projects will transform east-west links across the (3/5)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

1 year

North of England which have been woefully inadequate for many decades, constraining growth. They will dramatically improve connections between three of the great economic powerhouses of the North: Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds. And this is just the start…..” (4/5)

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

4 years

At Lockerbie this morning awaiting a southbound service. Not exactly promoting public transport are we....

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Richard Bowker CBE

@SRichardBowker

6 years

@Britestoan @RAIL No, they really really are publicly owned. They are public contracts awarded with fixed terms against predetermined outputs in return for as @RAIL says tiny margins. I know because I used to award them. Your point is one of political ideology and not one of economics.

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