[domeyhead]

Nice to have a sensible and civilised debate, and perhaps we are in the wrong part of the forum for others to find it and join in! The issue of profit is an intersting one because as we all know they aren't "real" profits at all. The Operating Companies make operating profits, while the capital and infrastructure costs are accounted separately (through Banks (ROSCOs) and The Treasury (Network Rail)). What frustrates me is that the case for rail investment v road is not equal. Rail can almost never hope to make the kind of 2:1 positive return demanded by the treasury for a big capital project even in London -Crossrail and Thameslink will never, ever make a straight return, so the decision to proceed needs political will. In Uckfield the Government will ask itself "Why bother? - The rest of the country doesn't care one way or the other if we rebuild it or not, therefore not" It is about political as well as economic pressure. This is where SELRAP are quietly creating a coalition of political support, and to its credit, Wealden Link are doing the same thing. I don;t think the story end with the recent NR review. I hope not anyway.
I actually have a soft spot for the Lavender Line - but I'm passionate about the rail network fulfilling its primary function.