High speed rail plans to be announced
Thu 11 Mar 2010
The government is due to announce details of its plans for a British high speed
rail link.
Although there have been some reservations over whether the nation can afford such a large scale infrastructure project, it seems that the government pressing on regardless.
The move has been warmly welcomed by many within the rail industry.
Michael Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: “The commitment that all three parties have shown to high speed rail is a vote of confidence in the industry, and will help place train travel at the heart of a successful low carbon economy.
“The plans must be affordable at a time of real constraint in the public finances and must show how high speed rail will be paid for while continuing to invest in the existing network on which passengers make more than a billion journeys a year.”
Network Rail chief executive, Iain Coucher said: “There is now a broad political consensus that Britain must have a high-speed rail future. High-speed is a vital part of a modern, dynamic economy. By slashing journey times, high-speed rail can drive economic growth and boost jobs.
“It would also take cars and lorries off the road, cut domestic flights and release capacity on the existing rail network; transforming services even for those communities not served directly by a high-speed line. It is the low-carbon, sustainable transport of the future.”
(image courtesy of Network Rail)
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