No high-speed, and spending cuts in British rail strategy

International Railway Journal, August, 2007

BRITAIN's railways are to have no further high-speed lines, little electrification, and a 1.5 billion [pounds sterling] cut in subsidy per year, according to the government, which presented its 30-year rail strategy last month.

Despite passenger numbers rising by an average 7% per year, and growing concerns about the network's ability to absorb further growth, the only major capacity increases announced were the 5.5 billion [pounds sterling] Thameslink 2000 project in London, a 425 million [pounds sterling] remodelling of Reading station, and support of 128 million [pounds sterling] for an upgrade of Birmingham's congested New Street station. All of these projects have been in development for many years.

Furthermore, passengers will be expected to pay more towards the costs of running the railway--from around 50% now to 75% in 2014. This is tied to a fall in annual subsidy from the present 4.5 billion [pounds sterling] or so to just 3 billion [pounds sterling].

Despite this, the government claims network capacity will double by 2037 through other incremental improvements. European Train Control System (ETCS) signaling is expected to be introduced between 2014 and 2020, probably on the Great Western and East Coast main lines, both of which are due to be upgraded for the 200km/h HST replacement trains.

Other measures in the strategy include 150 million [pounds sterling] investment at 150 stations, a simplified ticketing system, and 1300 extra coaches. Freight routes will receive 200 million [pounds sterling] to upgrade them for higher axleloads and increased loading gauge.