[1] Changes in government policy and public sentiment in the 1920s restricted their development, and all such operations ceased in the 1930s (with the exception of the Hamilton Street Railway streetcar system, which continued until 1946).
[2][page needed] The following properties were operated by the Hydro-Electric Railways:[2][page needed] With the exception of the Guelph Radial Railway, Ontario Hydro managed radial lines owned by municipalities.
[4] With the new Canadian National Railways consuming considerable taxpayer money, critics feared costs to build radials could escalate.
The 1919 provincial election brought into power the United Farmers of Ontario party which was extremely skeptical of Beck's plan.
There were objections to the radials crossing the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition and fears of a detrimental impact on waterfront economic development.