The news that various rail projects are not going to proceed as a result of the 'cuts' is not unexpected. The effect will be to prolong the dubious distinction of the UK having the worst railway system in western Europe.
Labour and Conservative governments in the 1960s destroyed many railway lines which were capital assets built with Victorian money. The cost of constructing the physical assets ran into millions.
In recent years government has spent billions putting back a small proportion of the destroyed assets. Complete lines have been re-opened, stations rebuilt and where track was 'simplified' additional track installed. The railways are creaking at the seams, more investment is needed urgently.
What should be done is to revisit the botched privatisation of the railways by the Thatcher government. If Chiltern Railways can find money from its own resources to re-open closed lines then we need to look at how that model may be replicated.
The make-do, free-for-all, non integrated transport system will not deliver what is needed, nor will building more roads.
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