Minister backs new high-speed network

BRITAIN will build a high-speed rail network linking the country’s major cities, Lord Adonis has declared.

The Transport Secretary yesterday said a global transport revolution was under way as country after country adopted high-speed rail as its next generation "backbone" infrastructure.

"The question is not whether but when and how Britain follows suit," said the Transport Secretary.

He added high-speed rail developments were taking place in France, Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain, China, Korea, Taiwan, Brazil, Belgium and the Netherlands – with Britain now at a "turning point" in transport policy.

Lord Adonis also said: "In Europe alone, 3,600 miles of high-speed line are in operation, a further 2,000 are under construction and 5,300 planned - but only 68 of them are in Britain.

"The most significant long-term transport policy decision of the next year will be on taking forward plans for a north-south high-speed rail line."

A key factor in the Government’s decision early next year would be the need for additional transport links between Britain’s "principal" conurbations, said the Transport Secretary.

Lord Adonis is a known supporter of a high speed rail service north out of London. However, such a service will not open for many years and may only run as far as Birmingham or Manchester in the first instance.

Click here to read more transport related articles

Click here to read William Green's blog