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Network Rail outlines its key role in Government's rail plans

Network Rail today (15 January) welcomed the Government's announcement of potential further rail expansion and the key role that the company will play in developing proposals.

Transport Secretary, Geoff Hoon, announced increased investment in public transport, including the possibility of new high-speed rail links from the airport and the possible further electrification of parts of the rail network. The Government also gave the go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow.

Iain Coucher, chief executive said: ^Under Network Rail's stewardship, Britain's railways have more passengers than at any time since 1947, trains are running at record levels of punctuality and safety is at an all-time high.

^It is clear that this success creates challenges as more and more people want to travel by train. Notwithstanding our plans to invest almost ^8bn over the next five years adding capacity to the network, more is needed. It is therefore timely that the Government and Network Rail jointly examine the need for new high speed lines.^

The Government will create a new company, High Speed Two (HS2) to develop the proposals. The company will draw on resources from Network Rail as well as recruiting externally as required. Their purpose will be to help consider the case for new high speed services. This initial work will be completed by spring 2009.

More information:

^  Network Rail has been talking to the government about these proposals and will be playing a major role in planning this new railway development

^  Network Rail is carrying out a new lines study that will help inform the new company, HS2 in its work

^  In the south, the new line could connect to a new Heathrow International interchange station

^  Additional capacity on a new route could also ease congestion on the West Coast main line. On present forecasts this section of the West Coast main line will become overloaded south of Rugby by about 2025

^  The two lines with sections that are being considered for possible electrification are two of our busiest, the Great Western and Midland Mainline, with decisions to be announced later in the year.