High-speed train could get the nod

The British Government is apparently on the verge of sanctioning a high-speed rail network that would link London with Scotland. Transport secretary, Lord Adonis, has hinted that the deal could be agreed as early as March next year and would give the UK some much needed great transport links across the country. From London to the north of England could be done in half time and it could also have a positive affect on green travel as passengers may prefer the less hassle of the train to flying around Britain.

The rail network could cost up to £34 billion to build and take many years to complete. Lord Adonis received the first report from High Speed 2, a government group set up to investigate the proposal for fast train service in the UK. It is the most detailed study into a high-speed rail link in the UK and has been widely praised. The UK is far behind the majority of its European counterparts in high-speed train lines. France and Spain have been running similar services for quite a while now and they have reduced the need to fly as with all the rigmarole of checking-in it actually takes longer to get to the destination.

The report has so far detailed the planned high-speed route that would link the West Midlands and London. Further investigation has been done on onward travel throughout the Midlands, Yorkshire, the north of England and into Scotland, but this will cost a lot of money. However, the country does first need to get its finances back into order and that is a priority.