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ITV News
5 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Trams in Bristol: Everything to know as £800m transport investment announced for South West
Our reporter Max Walsh rounds up today's announcement It's been announced that the West Country will receive its share of billions of pounds worth of Government investment, to improve transport in the region. The Mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, says the £800 million worth of funding will be used to improve the frequency of trains, potentially see more electric buses rolled out, and create a more joined up transport plan - which could include trams - but will require a lot more government cash to turn into a reality. Helen Godwin added that the announcement is 'day one' of a massive undertaking, describing the current network as "poor" and "in need of fixing." The money will be used to improve bus and rail travel across Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire, as well as developing plans for a wider mass transit system. But it's not the first time attempts have been made to transform travel in the West Country. Reflecting on the announcement Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport and Labour for Swindon South said: 'We know that our great cities and many towns outside of London have had historical underinvestment when it comes to their public transport networks. "Making sure that people can access public services easier- reducing congestion on the roads- this is the way we grow our economy.' Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport & Labour, Swindon South History of trams in Bristol The re-introduction of trams in Bristol has long been discussed. It all started in 1875, when the first horse drawn tram started operating in the city. Plans for a tram system were also outlined by Avon County Council in 1995. Called 'The Westway,' the rapid transport system was promised - but failed to materialise. In the years since, the West Country has become a region reliant on the bus, but it's hoped, a century and a half later, that today's' 800 million pound investment - could be an indicator of their return. Analysis from ITV West Country political correspondent Lucy McDaid This is a huge amount of capital investment announced by Labour, and potentially a major boost for transport across (most of) the WECA region. But the key word is 'potentially'. Unlike other parts of the country that have been allocated much more cash to make things happen, the Treasury has allocated the West of England region £800 million, with £200 million to 'help develop' a mass transit system. Whether it ever gets delivered or not is another question, and one that will follow newly elected West of England Mayor Helen Godwin around for the rest of her premiership. During her election campaign, Ms Godwin made it clear that better buses and trains are her number one priority, so this investment will no doubt come in very helpful. Labour also hopes it will ease some public frustration over more controversial government decisions on winter fuel payments and welfare cuts. It's also part of a drive from Westminster to give local leaders greater power over their areas and eventually boost economic growth and - ultimately - put more money into peoples' pockets. But today's announcement is also about painting a positive narrative before next week's much anticipated spending review, where the Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to set out a number of cuts to day to day spending in order to fund big increases to the defence and NHS budgets. If the government can show voters that it is making some big commitments to long-term projects - like new rail routes, tram systems and hospital buildings - they might hope that people will start to see the 'change' that they promised ahead of last year's general election. But there's one thing promising the projects, and another thing delivering them. Rural areas- Anna Sabine MP weighs in Some MPs in Somerset have expressed concern for their more rural constituencies - arguing they don't receive the same level of funding as more urban areas. One of them, Anna Sabine MP, Lib Dem for Frome and East Somerset said: 'We see it with farmers, we see it with buses, we see it with discussions about broadband. I don't think they understand rural areas, I don't think they're prioritising them and it's really worrying and I have to do everything I can to keep fighting for areas like Frome and East Somerset which would really benefit from that investment. 'We also just simply need more support and understanding about how important buses are to rural areas - they absolutely unlock growth, they unlock the kind of growth the chancellor is looking for but if people can't get where they need to go- that growth can't happen.' The Mayor admits the current public transport offering in the region is poor - which could become more of a priority when forming an effective mass transit system.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Pakistan cannot afford war with India…will be brought to its senses': Haryana minister Anil Vij says PM Modi does what he says
Pakistan 'will soon be brought to its senses', Haryana Minister for Energy, Transport and Labour Anil Vij said Friday amid heightened tensions at the border following India's Operation Sindoor and counter-strikes by the neighbouring country's forces. Speaking about the directions for blackout in Ambala, Vij said, 'Full preparedness is essential, and nothing can be done without public cooperation, which is why blackout orders have been issued.' Interacting with reporters, the seven-time MLA from Ambala Cantonment said, 'India will treat Pakistan in a way it would have never imagined. They [Pakistan] opened terror factories and sent terrorists to kill our unarmed civilians. Pakistan cannot afford to have a war with India'. 'Operation Sindoor is another instance which shows that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does what he says. PM Modi has a record of fulfilling his promises, be it the construction of the Ram Temple, abolishing triple talaq, or the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. All mistakes made by previous leaders of the country are now being corrected,' Vij said. Speaking about the ongoing water dispute linked to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Vij said, 'The Punjab government's actions are not in national interest. The country is heading towards war, armies are positioned face-to-face, attacks are happening daily, and instead of unity, they [Punjab government] are picking fights with neighbouring states. This is the time for us to stay united.' HPSC postpones May 11 exams The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) has postponed examinations scheduled for May 11. 'These examinations were to be conducted for the posts of Assistant Professor in the College Cadre for the subjects of Chemistry (Advertisement No. 43/2024) and Physics (Advertisement No. 61/2024). Originally set for May 11, the exams were to be held in the morning and evening sessions but have now been postponed until further notice,' a statement from an HPSC spokesperson said. 'The revised date for the examinations will be communicated by the Commission at a later time. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website of the Commission for the latest updates,' it added. Rs 5 lakh granted to each district Dr Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department and Revenue and Disaster Management Department, said Friday that the state government has sanctioned Rs 1.10 crore, allotting Rs 5 lakh each to the deputy commissioners of 22 districts in Haryana 'to address any emergent situations'. 'All Deputy Commissioners (DC) have been directed to exercise strict financial discipline and ensure that the allocated funds are utilized exclusively for the intended purpose. No expenditure beyond the sanctioned limit shall be incurred without prior approval of the government. As per the guidelines, only the amount actually required should be drawn from the treasury,' read the order issued by the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management. 'All DCs are instructed to submit monthly expenditure statements in Form 26 and 29 to the accounts branch of the department by the 10th of every month,' it added. Warning against hoarding Dr Misra also directed all DCs to issue stern warnings against hoarding essential goods in order to avoid panic-buying across the state. Directions were also issued to ensure that district-level control rooms remain fully operational around the clock, and to ensure that air warning systems, emergency and medical facilities are fully functional.
The Print
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Print
How HC's quashing of Haryana engineer's suspension serves as a sharp rebuke to state's ministers
The verdict, delivered on 22 April, 2025, allows the state government to issue a fresh order in accordance with the law but serves as a significant rebuke to certain Haryana ministers known for suspending officials on flimsy grounds. The suspension—ordered by Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij on 16 April, 2025, following Dhanda's complaint—was set aside by Justice Jagmohan Bansal, who described the order as 'non-speaking, non-reasoned, and mechanical'. Gurugram: The Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed the suspension order of the Superintending Engineer (SE) of the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (DHBVNL), who was suspended for not answering a phone call from Haryana Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda. However, a day after the High Court order, the officer was suspended again, this time by assigning reasons for his suspension. The order issued by the Managing Director of the DHBVN on 23 April said that he was being suspended 'in view of contemplated disciplinary proceedings against him under Regulation-7 of DHBVNL Employees (Punishment and Appeal) Regulations-2019 for imposition of major penalty on account of his non-performance and lack of supervision as SE, Operation Circle, DHBVNL, Jind'. The case stems from an incident five days prior to the suspension, when Dhanda, also the chairman of the Jind District Grievance Redressal Committee, visited Jind to address farmers' issues. During this time, his calls to SE Hari Dutt, an officer with DHBVNL in Jind, went unanswered. Dhanda escalated the matter to Anil Vij. During a meeting of power corporation officials in Chandigarh on 16 April, 2025, chaired by Vij, the issue was raised, leading to Dutt's immediate suspension. The order, issued by DHBVNL in Hisar, attached Dutt to the Chief Engineer's office in Delhi, where he was required to mark daily attendance. Dutt challenged the suspension in the Punjab and Haryana High Court through a petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution. His counsel, Ashwani Talwar, argued that the suspension was based solely on Dhanda's complaint about unanswered calls, as reported in the media. The state government, represented by Additional Advocate General Rajni Gupta, countered, justifying the suspension and stating that a chargesheet was being prepared. However, the court rejected this argument, noting that the suspension order itself failed to mention any reason, rendering it invalid. The court's order emphasised that employers must provide at least one clear reason for suspending an employee, a standard the impugned order did not meet. The court's decision left the Haryana government with the option to issue a new suspension order against Dutt, provided it included specific reasons and adheres to legal standards, which it now has. This ruling is a setback for Haryana ministers, who have a history of suspending officials with little regard for due process. Talking to The Print, Yudhbir Singh Khyalia, a retired IAS officer, said that the High Court's decision is a welcome verdict but at the same time, he added, there couldn't have been any other decision in this case. 'There is no provision in the Haryana Service Rules that provides that an officer can be suspended for not attending a minister's telephone. There can be hundreds of compelling reasons for the officers for his inability to take calls,' Khyalia reasoned. He said that the ministers in the BJP government in Haryana have been suspending government officials at the drop of a hat, which is not only against the service rules but also demoralising for the government servants. In January this year, ThePrint had reported how Haryana ministers in the Nayab Saini government suspended 17 government officials in just 10 days. In October 2023, 372 investigating officers in the Haryana Police were suspended in one sweep after the then Home Minister Anil Vij came down on police personnel delaying investigations. In January 2024, ThePrint had reported how the then CM Manohar Lal Khattar had started cracking the whip ahead of Lok Sabha polls by suspensions, forced leaves and salary cuts on the officials. Similarly, in June 2023, ThePrint reported how Anil Vij's on-the-spot suspensions and fiery outbursts earned him the moniker of 'Gabbar' of Haryana politics. On 16 January, 2023, ThePrint detailed Vij's tendency to issue suspensions during his Janata Darbars, often based on one-sided complaints. (Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri) Also read: In late-night police force rejig, Saini govt transfers 55 IPS, HPS officers. A look at key appointments
