So, will the government ever fix Britain’s railways?

It is a case of one step forward, one back, or a U-turn, or reversing back up the track. Depressing and increasingly predictable, thinks Chris Blackhurst

Given the way this government operates, the big picture of the railways is perpetually scrapped (Getty)

Britain’s railways are going nowhere.

Literally, that is the case, as I found to my cost this week. I was due to speak at a conference near St Paul’s in London. I left home in ample time, caught the train to Waterloo and then, between Barnes Bridge and Barnes, we stopped.

Eventually, the loudspeaker crackled into life and the guard said there was a problem ahead with a level crossing. At least, we thought that’s what he said because his voice was barely audible.