New high speed rail network announced
SUPER fast trains travelling at up to 250mph will run through the East Midlands on a new high speed rail network announced by the Government today.
Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said that a network would run from London to Birmingham and then split with one branch running to Manchester and another running to the East Midlands and on to Leeds.
Initial plans show a single high speed station serving Derby, Leicester and Nottingham – that could be situated in one of the cities or at a separate "parkway" location.
Lord Adonis said the plan would cut journey times and improve connections from the East Midlands to other parts of the country.
“This strategy is for the development of an initial core high speed network which would link London to Birmingham, Manchester, the East Midlands, Sheffield and Leeds,” he said.
“This Y-shaped network of about 335 miles in total, with branches north of Birmingham running either side of the Pennines, would be capable of carrying trains at up to 250 mph.”
3 Comments
by Rhys, Derby
Thursday, March 11 2010, 2:07PM
“It really is a shame that an easy rail link between Derby and Manchester has not be confirmed. I know this would benefit many local businesses and at the moment 2 hours to get to Manchester, for such a close city is silly!”
by observer2, Derby
Thursday, March 11 2010, 1:01PM
“This is very good news for the East Midlands and the UK's economy.
However- I did hear the Tories
were backing down on this significantly; and wonder what will happen if they get into power?”
by ian, derby
Thursday, March 11 2010, 12:40PM
“before people get excited construction of the first (£17.4billion) section - London to Birmingham will not start until at least 2017. The next section will link Manchester and north to Scotland. The tee through East Mids will be last so we are probably looking at 2030 at the earliest!!
Plenty of time for it all to fall through”