Green groups' charter for high speed rail13 April 2011
Friends of the Earth has joined forces with other environmental organisations to create a green charter for High Speed Rail.
High Speed 2 will link London to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, with the first stage due to open in 2026, if the project goes ahead.
However the case for High Speed 2 isn't clear cut.
Signatories to the Right Lines Charter believe High Speed 2 could do more to make rail cheaper and more attractive than flying or driving.
The Government's own figures show it will do little to cut emissions, as it will fail to get people out of cars and planes.
Carbon emissions from UK transport must be urgently cut - but the current High Speed Rail proposals will do little, if anything, to help. The majority of journeys are relatively short, so the Government's top priority should be to cut emissions from these trips.
Friends of the Earth Executive Director Andy Atkins
If emissions from short journeys are to be cut, measures are needed to make motoring low carbon and to improve public transport. Walking and cycling must also be encouraged for short journeys.
