Network Rail has unveiled proposals for a high-speed train service that could see journey times from Edinburgh to London cut from more than four hours to a little over two.
In a report called ‘The Case for New Lines’, the company proposes a 200mph north-south service between London and Glasgow that would take two hours 16 minutes, against the four hours 10 minutes it now takes. The journey time between London and central Manchester would be just over an hour. Edinburgh, Birmingham, Liverpool and Heathrow Airport could also be served by the line.
Network Rail estimates that rail travel could double from 1.3bn passengers per year to 2.6bn over the next thirty years.
Iain Coucher, chief executive Network Rail, said: “High-speed rail can transform Britain. It is a low-carbon option – cutting domestic flights and taking cars and lorries off the road.”
Rail to replace domestic flights?
A high-speed rail network will entirely do away with the need for the need for domestic and short-haul flights according to the transport secretary.
Lord Adonis said earlier this month that it was “manifestly in the public interest” for the 46 million passengers who take a domestic flight in Britain each year to switch to a 250mph north-south rail line of the future.
It is the first time that the Government has committed to the aim of ending domestic flights.
Plans for a £7bn high-speed rail line from London to Birmingham, which would eventually be extended to reach Scotland will be finalised by the end of this year.
Third runway at Heathrow remains
Despite its opposition to domestic and short-haul air travel, the Government believes that a growing demand for international long-haul flights justifies its continuing support for a third runway at Heathrow. The Conservatives have committed to scrapping the plans in favour of high-speed rail links.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “A high speed rail network whilst extremely welcome does not in itself do away with the demand for domestic air travel – the only way rational and equitable way to change travel patterns is to implement a carbon tax that applies to all modes of transport.”
What is the ETA?
The ETA is an ethical organisation providing motorists and cyclists with carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products – including a specialised service for electric vehicles.
0 Comments View now