Calls to cut carbon by linking North with high speed rail line

Dec 9 2009 by William Green, The Journal

BRITAIN must build a new high-speed rail network connecting with the North East to cut carbon emissions, a consortium of cities has declared.

Leaders of 11 cities desperate to secure a new rail route, including Newcastle, issued a cry to arms to coincide as the Copenhagen climate change got underway.

Their call comes as a key report is due to be sent to ministers later this month, saying travel by train already produces a much lower carbon footprint than by car or air - with the gap set to widen dramatically over the next 30 years with high-speed rail producing massive green benefits.

Transport chiefs and ministers from France, Spain and Germany have now united in their support for a high-speed rail network linking the UK with mainland Europe.

There are 3,480 miles of high-speed lines in mainland Europe with a further 2,160 miles under construction and 5,280 miles planned for the future. Yet in Britain there are only 68 miles in operation despite the world’s first passenger railway being invented here.

Last night, Newcastle leaders who have led the call for High Speed trains travelling to the city called on the Government to do more to bring about the environmental benefits of a new rail route.

Newcastle Council leader John Shipley said the environmental benefits of a link were “more important even than the economic benefits”.

He added: “We have to do more to encourage people get people out of their cars and into trains. The more traffic on the roads we reduce the better it is for everyone.”

And Wendy Taylor, the councillor responsible for transport in Newcastle, said it looked as if the Government had “not really grasped the full benefits of investing in new infrastructure”.