Here’s an interesting little example of the strategic timing of announcements. First, we have Network Rail putting out a jolly interesting bit of news that they’re planning a feasibility study of a series of new high speed rail routes to ease congestion and improve Britain’s railways. A couple of days later this is followed by the launch of a campaign by a group of MPs asking for greater public control over Network Rail.
Now call me an old cynic, but could there be some link between the two stories? Could it be that Network Rail, having gotten wind of what the dastardly MPs were up to, decided to bang out their bit of good news ahead of the MPs’ announcement? It’s certainly not beyond the realms of possibility and, from my own career, I know that this type of thing does happen. After all, no harm in announcing a study – particularly as it appears to be the third study of its type in a decade. And even if the study concluded ‘God damn it, let’s build these tracks!’, nothing’s going to happen till at least 2014, by which time I hope to be working slightly closer to home.
Organisations often use press comment as a way of putting pressure on Government or seeking to influence policy. Wednesday’s edition of The Times reported Network Rail’s CEO Ian Coucher saying that the Government’s current expansion plans are inadequate. Oo-er! (Clutches handbag in shock!) That certainly sounds like a bit of pressure being applied by Mr Coucher, or he’s getting tired of Network Rail being the whipping boy of the industry.
But if the prospect of this study and the potential for new high speed lines gets you excited – as I must confess I experienced a brief moment of interest which supping my oaty breakfast cereal – let me calm you with a few words from The Times’ coverage. I quote:
The study, which is due to be published in July next year, will not consider specific routes and is unlikely to set a clear timetable for expansion. It will set out whether there is a business case for new lines and which routes would deliver the greatest benefits. Asked when construction could start, Mr Coucher said: “I have no idea.”
Ah…one of those studies, then. Oh dear.
Now call me an old cynic, but could there be some link between the two stories? Could it be that Network Rail, having gotten wind of what the dastardly MPs were up to, decided to bang out their bit of good news ahead of the MPs’ announcement? It’s certainly not beyond the realms of possibility and, from my own career, I know that this type of thing does happen. After all, no harm in announcing a study – particularly as it appears to be the third study of its type in a decade. And even if the study concluded ‘God damn it, let’s build these tracks!’, nothing’s going to happen till at least 2014, by which time I hope to be working slightly closer to home.
Organisations often use press comment as a way of putting pressure on Government or seeking to influence policy. Wednesday’s edition of The Times reported Network Rail’s CEO Ian Coucher saying that the Government’s current expansion plans are inadequate. Oo-er! (Clutches handbag in shock!) That certainly sounds like a bit of pressure being applied by Mr Coucher, or he’s getting tired of Network Rail being the whipping boy of the industry.
But if the prospect of this study and the potential for new high speed lines gets you excited – as I must confess I experienced a brief moment of interest which supping my oaty breakfast cereal – let me calm you with a few words from The Times’ coverage. I quote:
The study, which is due to be published in July next year, will not consider specific routes and is unlikely to set a clear timetable for expansion. It will set out whether there is a business case for new lines and which routes would deliver the greatest benefits. Asked when construction could start, Mr Coucher said: “I have no idea.”
Ah…one of those studies, then. Oh dear.
0 comments:
Post a Comment