Newspaper roundup: 25 July 2007

Rail White Paper

Most national newspapers, including the Guardian and the Times, concentrated on how much extra cash passengers would have to pay to use the rail following the government's White Paper on rail. The document, which sets out a 30-year strategy for the network promised some public money for new projects, but the Times reported a 50% cut in government funding and plans for a new high-speed line hit the buffers. Among major upcoming projects, £5.5bn of government money will be pumped into Thameslink. Reading station will receive £425m for its redesign and Birmingham New Street will get a £128m in government funds for its revamp.

Stately wrecks

English Heritage has released a list of 1,235 historical buildings at risk over the country, which require more than £400m in remedial works to stop them crumbling away into ruin. The charity also highlighted a list of 16 'basket cases', which make up its most expensive wrecks. They include: Catterley Whitfield Colliery, Staffs, with a £25m deficit; Crossness Pumping Station in Bexley, with a £3m deficit; and Ditherington Flax Mill, Shrewsbury, with a £5m deficit.

Severn Trent on course

Water company Severn Trent, which employs Sir John Egan as its chairman, told investors in the City that it is still on course to make £300m profit this year despite the recent flooding in the centre of England, accoridng to the Times. The company said there was no need to change its outlook for its financial year to March 2008.

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