RDAs welcome National Strategy for High Speed Rail

England’s regional development agencies (RDAs) have welcomed today’s announcement by Prime Minister Gordon Brown of a National Strategy for High Speed Rail which outlines plans for a core high speed network linking London to Birmingham, Manchester, the East Midlands, Sheffield and Leeds, and be capable of carrying trains at up to 250 miles per hour.

The economic benefits of the “Y-shaped” high speed rail (HSR) network to the English Regions will be significant, and will repay the initial investment many times over.

Speaking on behalf of all RDAs, Mick Laverty, Chief Executive at Advantage West Midlands, said: “Today’s announcement is a glimpse into a bright, high-tech 21st century future for rail transport in this country.

“It is a confidence boost for businesses, for the millions of people who rely on public transport every day and for an economy showing the first signs of a fragile recovery from recession.

“RDAs believe that new and faster links to all of the English regions are key to delivering significant improvements to business competitiveness, support inward investment and promote tourism opportunities.

“Today’s Command Paper says further assessment is needed of the case for a potential station at Heathrow Airport itself.

“In our view it is vital for Heathrow to be directly connected by the high-speed rail link in order to maximise its contribution to the UK’s competitiveness and trade, and improve the integration with existing transport existing transport connections.

“High-quality, direct public transport links will take passengers off the roads around Heathrow delivering environmental benefits, locally, regionally, national, globally.

“We will be working proactively with Lord Mawhinney and his team on the further study with the clear aim of articulating to the team the firm benefits of a direct Heathrow link.”