Monday 27 Oct 2014
Integrating HS2 into the existing rail network will add extra capacity and improve connectivity, says Network Rail
- Region & Route:
- National
Network Rail has today welcomed the second report by Sir David Higgins on the future of high speed rail in Britain, which reinforces the strategic case for creating additional capacity on the rail network and improving connectivity across the North and the Midlands, as well as the north-south links to London.
Mark Carne, Network Rail chief executive, said: “HS2 will provide a step-change in capacity on the rail network and boost economic growth by transforming connectivity between our biggest cities.
"We welcome the recommendations in today’s report that emphasise the importance of integrating the new high speed line with the existing network. If we plan and operate rail services in an integrated way, there will be opportunities to improve connectivity between our major towns and cities, not just north-south but also east-west.
"Our initial work on options to improve east-west connectivity across the Pennines has demonstrated that the aspiration set out in the One North report for fast and frequent rail services linking the city regions together is possible and would bring wider benefits. Our work is at a very early stage and we are ready to work in partnership with local stakeholders, HS2 and the DfT as options for improved east-west connectivity are developed more fully."
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We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.
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