Conservative Party: High Speed Rail

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond  has today published details of the Government’s proposed High Speed Rail Network.

Since his appointment in May, Mr. Hammond has visited the full length of the proposed line from London to Birmingham, meeting local residents and MPs. As a result the route has been significantly redrawn with changes to over half its length.

The completed 'Y'-shaped network will mean that West Midlands is just half an hour away from London; while Leeds and Manchester would be around 80 minutes from the capital.  Direct high speed train services would operate to cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Liverpool.

Philip Hammond said:

"High speed rail has the potential to transform the way Britain works and competes in the 21st century. Political and business leaders from across the country are clear that a rail network of this kind has huge potential to reshape our economic geography for the better.

"But I also know there will be less welcome impacts of this new line in some parts of the countryside. Since taking this job I have reviewed all the possible route options in detail as well as travelling the length of the proposed line to talk directly to local people. As a result, I have made a number of changes to the route published by the previous Government. The route I am publishing today differs from the previous one for around 65 out of the 127 miles of its length.

"We are continuing to look at additional mitigation measures to lessen the impact of the line on those communities which it passes nearest to, as well as considering innovative options for providing assistance to those who may be affected by the proposed line. I hope the communities affected will play a full part in the consultation process."