Rail bill expected ‘in due course’

A hybrid Westminster Bill which would allow work to start on the construction of a high-speed rail (HSR) network will be introduced in “due course”, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition Government has confirmed.

Ministers have said that the final route for the HSR line has yet to be decided but indicated that Heathrow and other airports were likely to linked to the network.

The new HSR line and the existing High Speed One (HS1) – which runs between the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone and London – could also be connected together, with the Government planning a study on the options available.

A report commissioned by the previous Labour government had set out plans for a £17 billion HSR network between London and Birmingham which could be up and running in 15 years’ time. Other scenarios included the line running as far north as Glasgow.

Maximum capacity on the London-Birmingham route could triple under HSR, according to the report. It also claimed that for every £1 spent on the line, £2 of benefits for the economy would be produced.