Mike Barlow

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@ncedigital The survey Beth West refers to is from residents along the entire length of the route 3/4 requires zero greenfield build. I challenge her to run the same survey in Bedford, NE Beds and South Cambs which wi be decimated.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@ncedigital They claim £100bn GVA improvement - but can’t seem to substantiate where from - they justify the railway by a massive housebuilding programme. Their case is full of confirmation bias and hyperbolic claims. It’s a sham.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@ncedigital Also Beth West refuses to meet the public except through heavily curated online events. She has also declined to debate the business case with Richard Fuller MP.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@ncedigital The reality is that EWR boast of unprecedented public engagement but refuse to substantiate claims such as ‘Route E’ has the most environmental benefits. There was also no relative carbon assessment at Route selection stage. The Route is longer, through more challenging terrain.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@penny__traitor @BFARE2 @eastwestrail That’s the point. @eastwestrail admit they performed no comparative carbon analysis at Route selection stage. They also refuse to release their environmental assessment, citing ‘not in the public interest’. But have selected a route 7km longer, through hillier terrain. Bonkers.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@ewmlpartnership @BroadbentSb It’s a disgrace - what the hell have EWR been doing for 2 years since last consultation?

No further forward. No business case. No justification.

Just ploughing on with the same PR BS. Putting blight on innocent people with Ill defined maps and spurious guff as justification.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@tonkerthomas Not gunna lie
At the end of the day
When all is said and done
When the final whistle blows
Literally
Moving forwards
‘Monetisation’ (argh!)

There are 2 I can’t kick: using ‘So….’ When I’m nervous or unsure. And using ‘Look!’ When I’m wound up and wanting to make a point.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@tonkerthomas Skate?

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@tonkerthomas I’ve religiously been drinking gallons of my (approx) 95% water solution each day for years - it’s done me no harm. Although, drinking it in public space in Bedford is now an offence.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@easyJet Don’t bother booking Flexi. Paid premium of £200. But when tried to change day, call centre wanted to charge extra £183 for flights currently available online for £37 return. Disgusting. Tried to escalate but was put on hold for 30 mins. Twice.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@borofergie Anyone know of ANY impacted homeowners that Beth West has actually spoken to? Anyone? No? EWR are expressly NOT talking to the ones I know. More vacuous EWR BS.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@ewmlpartnership @HouseofCommons @kevin_j_foster @iainastewart @DanielZeichner Did you define what EWR mean by Net Zero Carbon? Did you expose that EWR did zero carbon analysis at Route selection stage? Did you reveal that EWR knee of potential demolitions in 2019 when those impacted could have responded but didn’t reveal until 2021 when it was too late?

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@ewmlpartnership @ASTRAZENECAUK Perhaps you could be specific about how much AZ (and others) intend to invest as a result of EWR? My understanding is zero as they have already invested in the area. More vague ‘jam tomorrow’ promises I’m afraid.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

This thread hits the nail on the head. The only difference with Bedford is the N & S are reversed. A decision based on political expediency where the question is irrelevant when EWR already have the answer.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@BedfordLibDems @felicityfox644 @BFARE2 You have consistently supported EWR in the selection of Route E without understanding the consequences. You have consistently failed to support opposers of Route E - instead you have attacked them and defended EWR.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@BedfordLibDems @felicityfox644 @BFARE2 @DaveTheMayor and @michaelheadley1 celebrated great lobbying for the selection of Route E in Jan 2020. They knew about the possibility of six tracks in July 2019 - that is why they commissioned the SLC report then. They hid it from residents and defended EWR.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@MidsConnect @GreenNaomiK @BFARE2 @protectpoets You’re right. It will impact our kids. No comparative carbon assessment at Route selection stage = 7km longer through hillier countryside. It will impact homes - 55 demolitions in Bedford + more in north beds. It will impact health. AQ in Bedford

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@EconomicHeart @GreenNaomiK I’m sure all in North Beds @BFARE2 & Poets, Bedford @protectpoets find this tweet deeply ironic when @eastwestrail selected Route E without consulting residents (male/female or non-binary) - their homes to be demolished in favour of a longer, higher carbon route.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

@BedfordRail Sure - you insinuate others are cherrypicking whilst - in my opinion - you could be said to select certain aspects for your comments and presentations and discard others that don’t fit with your rhetoric.

[Mike Barlow @MikeBarlow1973]

“Hey Google, show me rabid hypocrisy”