When it comes to railways, the government is on the wrong track

The U-turn came last Friday. Kelly had noticed the price of oil. The events of recent weeks, she said, had “really brought home to me” how important it was “to complete the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy”. Electrification? Yes indeed, it was time to phase out diesel engines.

The case for railway electrification has been argued over the past 10 years by many people inside the industry and out. Very few British politicians would get high marks for a similar foresight, particularly those in government.
Guardian