Railway enhancement projects are often huge undertakings, with enormous teams, high prestige, and very visible outcomes. Think London Bridge, rebuilding Birmingham New Street, HS2.
The scale of major railway projects can sometimes cause small and medium-sized projects to get lost. It doesn't mean they don't happen - but they might be delayed, or combined into bigger schemes to minimise disruption.
But let's not lose sight of the fact that a coordinated programme of small investment schemes can deliver a major benefit - as demonstrated by the investment of £9.5 million to extend platforms in Cumbria. The ability to operate longer trains across this network will benefit not just Cumbria, but it will mean longer trains can operate from these routes right across Lancashire and into Greater Manchester, supporting the delivery of more capacity for passengers across a wide geographic area.
The railway is facing affordability constraints now, and that's only going to continue with a new Government committed to helping everyone with rising energy bills and cost of living more generally. So the value and benefits of small and medium-sized projects will be even more important.
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