Media Centre

Take a look at what the UK's press thinks about our campaign, hear the views of supporters and read profiles of our key members and the work they do.

Train Companies respond to the Government’s High Speed Rail announcement

Thursday 11 March 2010

Responding to the Government’s announcement on high speed rail, Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), said:

“The Government’s announcement confirms rail as integral to the future success of the British economy, linking the nation’s major cities in a way which will transform how people get around the country. Continue reading

Theresa Villiers MP: Conservatives started – and continue to lead – the debate on high speed rail on which Labour’s vision is misguided and unambitious

Thursday 11 March 2010

Theresa Villiers MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, wrote the below blog on today’s announcement about plans to take forward proposals for a new high speed rail network that first appeared on ConservativeHome.com

Two years ago the Conservative Party took the bold step of announcing a timetabled and costed commitment to deliver a north-south high speed line. At the time, Labour had made it clear that high speed rail had no part to play in their in their 30 year strategy for the railways. But we remained steadfast in our support for this crucial upgrade to the nation’s transport system – and we have led the debate on high speed rail ever since. Continue reading

Lord Adonis announces proposals for a new high speed rail network

Thursday 11 March 2010

The Secretray of State for Transport, Lord Adonis, today announced plans to take forward proposals for a new high speed rail network in the UK which would deliver an initial core high speed rail network linking London to Birmingham, Manchester, the East Midlands, Sheffield and Leeds, with trains running at up to 250 miles per hour.

It was also announced that Transport Minister Sadiq Khan will be visiting the North West to explain how these proposals could benefit the region.

Adonis sets out high speed rail proposals; DfT Press Release Continue reading

UK cities greet HS2 report and White Paper as first step to a high speed future for Britain

Thursday 11 March 2010

HSR\\UK, a campaign coalition of Britain’s 11 leading cities has said the publication today of the HS2 Report and the Government’s High Speed Rail Command Paper was a welcome start to developing a high speed rail (HSR) network in the country.

The cross-party campaign, which is building political and community support for a high speed rail network across Britain welcomed the commitment to the first stage of such a network and the detail of the plans outlined in HS2. Continue reading

High-Speed Rail: Generating a Return for the Exchequer

Wednesday 24 February 2010

GREENGAUGE 21

High-speed rail will enhance economic performance and will boost annual economic output between £17bn and £29bn, by 2040 says Greengauge 21 in a new study entitled High-speed Rail in Britain: Consequences for Employment and Economic Growth. Continue reading

High Speed Rail makes for Great Transport Debate

Wednesady 17 February 2010

Campaign Chair of HSR//UK, Sir Richard Leese laid down the gauntlet today - at the Transport Times Conference, London - for a post-election strategy on a high speed rail network that benefits the whole of the UK, allowing the economies of major cities to expand. Continue reading

Transport Select Committee publishes its report on Priorities for investment in the railways

Monday 15 February 2010

The House of Commons Transport Select Committee have published its report on ‘Priorities for investment in the railways’, which says that future high speed rail investment should not be at the expense of maintaining investment in the “classic” rail network. Continue reading

Heathrow’s Future rests on High-Speed Rail, says Greengauge 21

Friday 12 February 2010

A new report from Greengauge 21 says that it is essential that high-speed rail should serve Heathrow Airport directly, but that the HS2 scheme linking London and The West Midlands should not be compromised to achieve this. Continue reading

Media enquiries

For Media enquiries please contact: Freshwater

Lucy Battle
t: 0207 062 1594
e: lucy.battle@freshwater-uk.com

Max Deckers
t: 0207 787 1209
e: max.deckers@freshwater-uk.com