Manchester to London in 90 minutes could become a reality if a new high-speed rail link study bears fruit.
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) today signed up to join a new Public Interest Group that will explore the potential for a 300kmph-plus service from Manchester to Birmingham and London.
The group aims to submit its findings to the Department for Transport by April 2009 - in time for consideration as part of a government study into long-term transport funding.
Greengauge 21 - the not-for-profit organisation set up to promote the development of high-speed rail in Britain - invited GMPTA to join the group earlier this year.
Councillor Allen Brett, Vice Chair of GMPTA, said: "High-speed rail has the potential to bring massive economic and environmental benefits on a national scale.
"I'm very pleased that Greengauge 21 has recognised the role Greater Manchester has to play in that.
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"Although this high-speed rail connection is still a long way from becoming a reality - at least 15 years - now is the right time to take the concept to the next stage.
"We can see the potential on offer for Greater Manchester and that is why we are getting on board with this study at its very beginning."
The group will fund and oversee a development programme that takes the concept of high-speed rail forward, including the possibility of a line linking Manchester and London, to become a realistic proposal.
It will assess the specifics - such as the technical requirements, key sites, funding and consultations - before producing a range of options.
Network Rail has agreed to help take the development programme forward and the DfT, the Office of Rail Regulation and the Association of Train Operating Companies will have observer status' throughout.
GMPTA will also support the study with a financial contribution. The study is expected to cost up to £660,000 overall.
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Posted by: Andrew, Bolton on 10:06pm Fri 11 Apr 08
This would be a great boon to commuters, although I wonder how long it'd be before one flies off the line due to a points failure...?!
I travelled down to London for a weekend and it took about two and a half hours, so an additional hour doesn't seem much of a saving, but it may be beneficial to those who work in London, rather than just tourists like myself.
This would be a great boon to commuters, although I wonder how long it'd be before one flies off the line due to a points failure...?!
I travelled down to London for a weekend and it took about two and a half hours, so an additional hour doesn't seem much of a saving, but it may be beneficial to those who work in London, rather than just tourists like myself.
Posted by: notsurprised, BL on 11:03pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Absolute pie in the sky.
It would need new tracks, signalling or at least a new route for all the other traffic. Not going to happen unless someone is prepared to stump up about £30-50Bn to do it. And it can't make any money unless it also deviates to stop at city centres, with acceleration, traffic and deceleration, it's got no chance of getting any money made if they run a regular frequent service. Imagine how much the tickets would have to be for it to make a profit....
Total and complete waste of £650K to do a study on it.
Absolute pie in the sky.
It would need new tracks, signalling or at least a new route for all the other traffic. Not going to happen unless someone is prepared to stump up about £30-50Bn to do it. And it can't make any money unless it also deviates to stop at city centres, with acceleration, traffic and deceleration, it's got no chance of getting any money made if they run a regular frequent service. Imagine how much the tickets would have to be for it to make a profit....
Total and complete waste of £650K to do a study on it.
This is good news. I travel to London not infrequently and find the service excellent. This week my train was 10 minutes early in Euston. It would be good if we could have, say, one train a day direct from Bolton to London. One has to allow an hour to get from Bolton or Lostock to Piccadilly.
This is good news. I travel to London not infrequently and find the service excellent. This week my train was 10 minutes early in Euston. It would be good if we could have, say, one train a day direct from Bolton to London. One has to allow an hour to get from Bolton or Lostock to Piccadilly.
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