Back controversial high speed train plan, Government urges (From This Is Local London)

Back controversial high speed train plan, Government urges

6:00pm Wednesday 30th December 2009

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A CONTROVERSIAL bid for a high speed train line – which could come through Buckinghamshire – is a “moment to seize” a transport boss said today as he was given final plans.

Secretary of state for transport Lord Adonis said: “It’s a brave politician who predicts what 2010 holds in store, but I am confident that for Britain it will be the year of high-speed rail.”

High Speed 2, a firm set up by the Government to develop plans, has refused to release its report, but options are thought to include using the Chiltern Railways line through High Wycombe or the West Coast Mainline by Berkhamstead.

This has led to fears about its impact on the countryside and property prices. The line would run to the North West and slash journey times to Birmingham to 45 minutes. It would not stop in Bucks.

Lord Adonis said he will consider its findings in the next three months and then publish a White Paper outlining the Government’s position.

Writing in The Times (see link, bottom of story), he said: “Despite our proud railway heritage, Britain is a high-speed laggard. We have only 68 miles of high-speed track.”

He added: “High-speed rail provides connections that are not only fast and convenient — city centre to city centre — but also high-capacity and more environmentally sustainable than either motorways or aviation for large numbers of passengers.”

And he wrote: “A full public consultation on our proposals will follow. Only if high-speed rail becomes a national rather than a party cause will it overcome the planning and funding challenges ahead.

“This is a moment to seize. The past 50 years have brought an incredible democratisation of travel, boosting prosperity and opportunity.”

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