High-speed train link at Heathrow

The proposal for a high-speed train network could be hit the blocks before the White Paper report comes out on the controversial project. It has the stumbling blocks over what role Heathrow Airport should play in the railway line, if any at all. The train line has been nicknamed High Speed 2 (HS2) after HS1 was already taken by a stretch of rail in Kent that is used for the cross Channel services. It will transport passengers at up to 185mph and would revolutionise the way we travel around the country in the next decade.

The original plans tow year ago entailed a starting point near to Euston Station with a major interchange at Heathrow Airport so that passengers could instead use rail travel instead of short-haul domestic flights. Lord Adomis is expected to suggest that the interchange should actually be places in Acton and Heathrow just have a small spur. This will be met with contempt by the Conservatives who believe the solution to increasing CO2 emissions in the UK is to try and deter people from flying. This could be great for travellers could easily get on a train to get to their next destination.

The UK is hoping to reduce their carbon emission to levels of 2005 by the year 2050 and rail travel is seen as a healthy alternative to help the environment. At the minutes a train service from London to Glasgow is not fast enough to meet the needs of many business travellers, who instead opt to fly. A high-speed train network could encourage more to travel across land and help save the environment.