Menu
26/08/2009
High-Speed Line On Track At Network Rail
A new 200mph high-speed line to the Midlands, the North West and Scotland, has been revealed by Network Rail today.
The results of a detailed investigation concluded that a new halving travel time to Scotland to just over two hours, was the best option generating almost £55bn of value with a capital construction cost of £34bn.
Iain Coucher, Network Rail's Chief Executive said: "High-speed rail can transform Britain. It can promote economic growth, regeneration and social inclusion. It is a low carbon option – cutting domestic flights and taking cars and lorries off the road. It will release capacity on the existing rail network and revolutionise passenger journeys.
"Demand for rail travel is growing and our main lines from the north to London are nearly full. By 2020 we will be turning away passengers – that's not what we want. We need to start the planning now to meet future demand and the solution is a new high-speed railway to the Midlands, the North West and Scotland. The line has a sound business case that will pay for itself."
Network Rail's study, running to over 1,500 pages of research, modelling and analysis, concluded that in order to meet demand a new high-speed line from central London to central Manchester (in just 1hr 06mins) with a diverging high speed line to the centre of Birmingham (just 46mins) offered the best benefits.
Continuing the high-speed line to Preston (1hr 13mins), with a diverging high-speed line to Warrington (1hr 06mins) and Liverpool (1hr 23mins), and then northwards splitting to go directly to Glasgow (2hrs 16mins) and Edinburgh (2hrs 9mins) offered the best value for money, generating revenue and benefits worth almost £55bn, paying for itself 1.8 times over.
Mr Coucher added: "As well as running Britain’s railway day-to-day, Network Rail also looks at long-term planning to meet customer, passenger and freight demand. Today the railway is thriving, we want that to continue and to meet the economic and environmental needs of tomorrow."
(CD/GK)
The results of a detailed investigation concluded that a new halving travel time to Scotland to just over two hours, was the best option generating almost £55bn of value with a capital construction cost of £34bn.
Iain Coucher, Network Rail's Chief Executive said: "High-speed rail can transform Britain. It can promote economic growth, regeneration and social inclusion. It is a low carbon option – cutting domestic flights and taking cars and lorries off the road. It will release capacity on the existing rail network and revolutionise passenger journeys.
"Demand for rail travel is growing and our main lines from the north to London are nearly full. By 2020 we will be turning away passengers – that's not what we want. We need to start the planning now to meet future demand and the solution is a new high-speed railway to the Midlands, the North West and Scotland. The line has a sound business case that will pay for itself."
Network Rail's study, running to over 1,500 pages of research, modelling and analysis, concluded that in order to meet demand a new high-speed line from central London to central Manchester (in just 1hr 06mins) with a diverging high speed line to the centre of Birmingham (just 46mins) offered the best benefits.
Continuing the high-speed line to Preston (1hr 13mins), with a diverging high-speed line to Warrington (1hr 06mins) and Liverpool (1hr 23mins), and then northwards splitting to go directly to Glasgow (2hrs 16mins) and Edinburgh (2hrs 9mins) offered the best value for money, generating revenue and benefits worth almost £55bn, paying for itself 1.8 times over.
Mr Coucher added: "As well as running Britain’s railway day-to-day, Network Rail also looks at long-term planning to meet customer, passenger and freight demand. Today the railway is thriving, we want that to continue and to meet the economic and environmental needs of tomorrow."
(CD/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 January 2012
Legal Action Taken Over Cumbrian Rail Crash
It has been revealed that Network rail is to be prosecuted over the Cumbrian rail crash back in 2007, which claimed one life. The rail regulation body, The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has said that they have started legal proceedings against Network Rail for a breach of health and safety law.
Legal Action Taken Over Cumbrian Rail Crash
It has been revealed that Network rail is to be prosecuted over the Cumbrian rail crash back in 2007, which claimed one life. The rail regulation body, The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has said that they have started legal proceedings against Network Rail for a breach of health and safety law.
08 November 2011
High Speed Rail Network Gets Backing
A government committee has announced that a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham has a "good case". The announcement comes after the Government carried out a public consultation on the proposal and the recommended route for an initial high-speed line from London to the West Midlands.
High Speed Rail Network Gets Backing
A government committee has announced that a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham has a "good case". The announcement comes after the Government carried out a public consultation on the proposal and the recommended route for an initial high-speed line from London to the West Midlands.
28 February 2008
Rail Boss Knighted As Company Suffers Record Fine
Network Rail has been fined a record £14 million by the Office of Rail Regulation for engineering work which overran during Christmas and the New Year. The fine was imposed for three serious overruns during the festive period, the worst of which was on the West Coast Main Line at Rugby in the West Midlands.
Rail Boss Knighted As Company Suffers Record Fine
Network Rail has been fined a record £14 million by the Office of Rail Regulation for engineering work which overran during Christmas and the New Year. The fine was imposed for three serious overruns during the festive period, the worst of which was on the West Coast Main Line at Rugby in the West Midlands.
22 August 2003
Rail repairs will see short term pain but 'long-term benefit'
The government has defended the decision to carry out extensive repairs to the rail network over the Bank Holiday weekend, saying that passengers, business and the tourist industry will "feel the long-term benefit of this weekend's rail engineering work".
Rail repairs will see short term pain but 'long-term benefit'
The government has defended the decision to carry out extensive repairs to the rail network over the Bank Holiday weekend, saying that passengers, business and the tourist industry will "feel the long-term benefit of this weekend's rail engineering work".
09 October 2008
Scottish Rail Strike Suspended
Scottish rail services are expected to return to normal after talks between Network Rail and the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union lead to a suspension of the 24-hour strike scheduled for noon.
Scottish Rail Strike Suspended
Scottish rail services are expected to return to normal after talks between Network Rail and the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union lead to a suspension of the 24-hour strike scheduled for noon.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
