Archive

Large scale document archive

1980 Nov 13 - 1984 Jul 30
Prime Ministerial Private Office files

PREM19/1400
Transport (British Rail: review of main line electrification; Hastings-Tonbridge rail service)

Source: TNA, PREM19 series
Release date: 2014 Jan 3
Classification: Confidential
Page count: 274
Themes: Energy, Privatized & state industries, Transport, Science & technology

PREM19/1400 - download whole file (PDF, 47.4 MB)

Selections from this file

Showing items 21 - 40 of 40

Date Value Title
83 Mar 30 We Major Transport: No.10 Policy minute to MT ("Hastings and Tonbridge Rail Service") ["We cannot recommend that you accept the Department of Transport's request for immediate approval for electrification"] [declassified Jan 2014]
83 Mar 31 Th Major Transport: Leon Brittan PS letter to No.10 ("Hastings-Tonbridge Rail Service") [case for electrification; Brittan "not convinced that an early decision has to be taken... and would prefer more time to allow the alternative to be evaluated more thoroughly"] [declassified Jan 2014]
83 Apr 12 Tu Major Transport: Ian Gow minute to Michael Scholar ("Hastings & Tonbridge Rail Service") [views of constituency MPs on case for electrification; Howell's case "is a lousy one... [but] he thinks it will be very damaging to him... if his recommendation is overruled"] [declassified Jan 2014]
83 Apr 13 We Major Transport: Alan Walters minute to Michael Scholar ("Hastings/Tonbridge Rail Service") [case for electrification: BR "have considered in a cursory way alternatives but have rejected them"] [declassified Jan 2014]
83 Apr 14 Th Major Transport: No.10 letter to Howell PS ("The Hastings to Tonbridge Rail Service") [cost estimates; MT unconvinced by case for electrification] [declassified Jan 2014]
83 Apr 22 Fr Major Transport: Howell PS letter to No.10 ("The Hastings - Tonbridge Rail Service") [cost estimates; MT unconvinced by case for electrification] [declassified Jan 2014]
83 Apr 25 Mo Major Transport: Alan Walters minute to Michael Scholar ("Hastings/Tonbridge Rail Service") [criticism of Dept of Transport submission: "[BR] have suppressed many low-cost options... in order to make their case for electrification"] [declassified Jan 2014]
83 Apr 27 We Major Transport: No.10 record of conversation (MT, Howell, Ian Gow, Alan Walters, Osmotherly) ["Hastings-Tonbridge Rail Service": diesel/electric options for renewal] [declassified Jan 2014]
83 Sep 20 Tu Major Transport: Tom King minute to MT ("Tonbridge - Hastings Railway Line and Railway Electrification") [MT unhappy at reversal of decision agreed woth Howell at meeting on 27 April; requests further discussion] [declassified Jan 2014]
83 Oct 12 We Major Transport: Tom King PS letter to No.10 ("Tonbridge-Hastings Railway Line") [clarification of why King's recommendation differs from action decided at Howell meeting with MT on 27 April] [declassified Jan 2014]
83 Oct 14 Fr Major Transport: No.10 briefing for MT ("Tonbridge/Hastings Railway Line") [meeting with Tom King: electrification of railway line] [declassified Jan 2014]
83 Oct 25 Tu Major Transport: Andrew Turnbull minute to MT ("Electrification of the Hastings/Tonbridge Line") [Ridley to take forward King's reversal of Howell decision; MT approves but "found the changes in fact and assessment disturbing"] [declassified Jan 2014]
84 Jan 12 Th Major Transport: No.10 Policy Unit minute to Andrew Turnbull ("Cambridge Railway Electrification") [advises acceptance of Ridley proposals] [declassified Jan 2014]
84 May 24 Th Major Transport: Ridley minute to MT ("East Coast Mainline Electrification") [proposal to uncouple ECML electrification proposal from the viability of Inter-City] [declassified Jan 2014]
84 May 29 Tu Major Transport: No.10 Policy Unit minute to MT ("East Coast Main Line Electrification") [advice to resist BR case/Ridley proposal to uncouple ECML electrification proposal from the viability of Inter-City] [declassified Jan 2014]
84 May 31 Th Major Transport: Chancellor of the Exchequer minute to MT ("East Coast Main Line Electrification") ["The chances that we shall reach a conclusion on all this before the summer recess seem very remote"] [declassified Jan 2014]
84 Jun 8 Fr Major Transport: Ridley minute to MT ("East Coast Main Line (ECML) Electrification") ["delay would be politically damaging"] [declassified Jan 2014]
84 Jun 11 Mo Major Transport: Andrew Turnbull minute to MT (Electrification of the East Coast Main Line) ["Agree that while scrutiny of project should be vigorous, the issues should be decided, one way or the other by Recess?"] [declassified Jan 2014]
84 Jul 25 We Major Transport: No.10 Policy Unit minute to MT ("Electrification of the East Coast Main Line") [advice to consider delaying project or to partially approve London-Newcastle only & await evidence of success before approving remainder] [declassified Jan 2014]
84 Jul 25 We Major Transport: Cabinet Office briefing for MT ("Electrification of the East Coast Main Line") ["Should... [BR proposals] be accepted or rejected... Should any qualifications or conditions be attached to the decision"; "whether the Government, rather than BR, should make an announcement and, if so, what should be its form and timing"] [declassified Jan 2014]