Rail minister says high speed link to London viable

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If the government approves the measure, a high-speed rail line could reduce the travel time from Scotland to London by nearly half, according to the proposed plan.

Lord Adonis, the rail minister, is studying a proposal that makes the case for constructing a French-style TGV, 200mph, rail link between Glasgow and London.

The rail journey between Glasgow and London currently takes approximately four hours 30 minutes, and it is said that the high-speed service would reduce the time to two hours 42 minutes.

Seven reports were prepared for the Department for Transport in 2007, including the plan currently under review.

The reports set out routes, costs and the environment impact of a high-speed line, and have been a key to persuading Lord Adonis of the need for and viability of a high-speed link, following the French model.

“We are looking seriously and urgently at the potential for high-speed rail in the UK,” the rail minister said. “This study shows that a high-speed line is a perfectly viable and realistic option.

He commented further: “Britain invented the railways and exported the technology to the rest of the world. It would be great if we were able to take a lead in high-speed rail technology in the 21st century.”

Thanks to news.scotsman.com for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

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