Network Rail announces five possible new routes
Network Rail announces five possible new routes
Network Rail has announced that it may build up to five new rail lines to increase passenger capacity on Britain's railways, as travelling by train grows in popularity.
Network Rail will conduct a strategic review, looking at routes north and west of
London; Chiltern, East Coast, West Coast, Great Western and Midland Main Lines.
Ian Coucher, chief executive of Network Rail, said: "By 2025 many lines will be full up, especially those running to and from the north and west of London....With popularity for rail growing, we have to start planning for the medium and long-term future today. We have to see how we can meet the capacity challenge and see what solutions, including potentially that of new lines, are deliverable and affordable. This review...will kick start this process."
Coucher continued to say that Britain has a "thriving railway today" and this must continue to grow to meet the needs of tomorrow's population. The last decade has seen rail travel soar in popularity and passenger numbers are up by 40 per cent, to 1.13bn journeys per year, the greatest number since 1946.
The review is being carried out by Network Rail in partnership with other bodies in the railway industry.
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26 June 2008
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