Archived press release

High-speed rail link announced

11 March 2010

Commenting on the Government's announcement today of plans to build a new high speed rail link, Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

"A new high-speed rail link could play a significant role in tackling climate change by providing a real alternative to short-haul flights and long-distance car journeys - but these proposals are forecast to have a minimal impact on cutting carbon emissions, and may even lead to an increase.

"Major changes to Government transport policy are required to ensure that this huge project plays its part in a low-carbon future.

"Ministers must scrap plans for new runways and roads and ensure that rail travel is the most cost-effective and convenient option for long-distance travel throughout the UK and into Europe.

"Because the new trains will only be as green as the power source that fuels them, we urgently need to develop a low-carbon electricity grid by investing in the UK's vast renewable energy potential.

"The new rail link must not come at the expense of other low-carbon transport schemes like buses, existing rail services and measures to encourage walking and cycling and Government funding for these must be protected.

"The impact on communities and the environment must be minimised - and the Chilterns must be properly protected."

Notes to Editors:

1. There are a number of issues relating to the building of a high speed rail line that need to be addressed:

• A high speed rail line must play its part in making significant cuts in overall transport emissions. This will partly depend on how fast we decarbonise electricity generation and the amount of carbon spent in building the new line. Plans announced today are forecast to make little reduction - if any - in UK emissions.

• It must attract passengers who would otherwise travel by plane or car. This will require the Ministers to look at other policies including the relative cost of car and air travel . Last month the Government revealed that between1997 and 2009 rail fares increased by 13 per cent while the real cost of motoring, including the purchase of a vehicle, declined by 14 per cent. The cost of the average UK one-way air fare, including taxes and charges, covering domestic flights fell by 35 per cent between 1997 and 2008. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100205/text/100205w0001.htm

• Extra capacity that is created on the existing rail network after the new line opens must be used to provide more freight and stopping passenger trains in order to shift goods and people onto rail.

• It should be linked to the Channel Tunnel rail route and help replace flights by enabling through journeys to destinations in mainland Europe.

• It mustn't lead to funding cuts for other essential transport improvements like buses and conventional rail.

• New stations should be built in city centres - not out-of-town where they could encourage more road traffic and become hubs for development.

• Important wildlife habitats and the Chilterns AONB must be protected - impacts could be minimised by tunnelling.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust