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Government releases high speed rail plans
Sunday, 14 March 2010
£30bn high speed rail plans released Rail supplies project to create 10,000 jobs

Plans for a new high-speed rail network running 250mph trains, have now been released by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis showing the recommended route for the new line between London and Birmingham with a future extension to northern England and Scotland. (see our story High-speed rail plans to be submitted to government 29 December 2009)

There will be public consultation on the proposed route, construction of which will probabally not start until a least 2017.

Network Rail last week (Thursday 11 March) reiterated its support for high-speed rail as the government published its command paper.

Chief executive, Iain Coucher said: "There is now a broad political consensus that Britain must have a high-speed rail future. High-speed is a vital part of a modern, dynamic economy. By slashing journey times, high-speed rail can drive economic growth and boost jobs. It would also take cars and lorries off the road, cut domestic flights and release capacity on the existing rail network; transforming services even for those communities not served directly by a high-speed line. It is the low-carbon, sustainable transport of the future."

"We will now analyse the white paper in detail to see how its proposals would expand the network. The railway is a system and we will work with government to understand how high-speed lines can be developed to make the best use of capacity of the entire network."
Network Rail said high-speed rail "can drive economic growth and boost jobs".

Lord Adonis told the House of Lords that the views of communities along the route would be particularly sought saying "Subject to this consultation, the London terminus for the high-speed line would be Euston, the Birmingham city centre station would be at Curzon Street, and there would be interchange stations with Crossrail west of Paddington and near Birmingham airport."

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Manchester Metrolink extensions approved
Sunday, 14 March 2010

Two additiuonal extensions to Manchester Metrolink have been authorised by the Department for Transport, and talks are underway on the construction of another new line which would bring trams to Manchester Airport.

Sadiq Khan, Transport Minister announced approval of plans to extend Metrolink from Droylsden to Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside and from Chorlton to East Didsbury in South Manchester. Work on four other extensions is already under way. These will serve MediaCityUK at Salford Quays, Chorlton, Droylsden and the former heavy rail line through Oldham Mumps to Rochdale station.

In addition to forty new trams which are already being added to the fleet, an extra eight trams will be ordered, six of which will be funded by the Department for Transport.

Funding has also been provided for two new Park and Ride sites at Ashton Moss and Ashton West the capacity for an additional 600 cars between them.

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