Rail Plan to cut flights

2.28.26pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 26th Jul 2008

• PROPOSALS for a new high-speed rail network, which could radically reduce the need for domestic and short haul flights, have been welcomed by the Leader of Richmond Council, Cllr Serge Lourie.

The proposed network was unveiled on Monday, 21 July by the 2M Group of local authorities, campaigning to halt the expansion of Heathrow Airport. It would provide a new fast link between London and Edinburgh as well as direct connections from other parts of the UK to a growing network of European cities, including Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Lyon. Heathrow would be an integral part of the new network, enabling people who might otherwise take an internal flight to travel by rail. The blueprint has been devised by civil engineer Colin Elliff and has been published by the 2M group as part of its contribution to the national debate on transport policy.

Speaking at the launch, held at Portcullis House, Westminster, Cllr Lourie said: "Put simply, expanding airports means even more planes in the sky and cars on the ground. A European-style high speed rail network offers a genuine alternative to airport expansion. The potential for high speed rail as an alternative to short haul flights is undeniable. From a 2M perspective this study shows we are prepared to think constructively about the alternatives to airport expansion. It is time that government did the same."