29 July 2011
HS2 consultation: classic rail network must not be forgotten
Transform Scotland has published its
response to the Department for Transport's 'High Speed 2' consultation (which closes today).
As part of its response, Transform Scotland has reiterated its view that the existing classic lines should not be forgotten whilst the high-speed line northwards is being developed.
Furthermore, given the long time scales envisaged before the high-speed line would reach Scotland, that the trains that are built are able to run northwards off the high-speed line to reach the Central Belt of Scotland and beyond.
Paul Tetlaw commented:
"It is clearly essential that some of the new rolling stock for HS2 is able to continue on the classic lines as is the case in other European countries. In the lifetime of any new train it is likely that it will need to run part of its journey on the classic lines. It will therefore be necessary to include tilt mechanisms to ensure that maximum speed can be achieved along the West Coast Main Line to Scotland."