HS1: The Lib Dems would build more high speed lines, funded by Co2 emission charges.
PLANS to build a UK high-speed rail network paid for by emissions-linked charges on road freight and internal flights have been unveiled by the Liberal Democrats.
The party would also introduce rolling contracts for train operating companies to increase long-term investment and improve services.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: “These proposals offer a radical alternative vision for transport in the 21st Century, compared with the tired short-sightedness of both Labour and the Tories.
“At a time when families are feeling the pressure of the rising cost of travel, only the Liberal Democrats are setting out how to make our transport system sustainable, affordable and fair.”
Party transport spokesman Norman Baker added: “With Labour’s 30-year plan for the railways stopping inexplicably in 2014 and no firm proposals from the Conservatives, we are the only party with concrete proposals to build a transport system fit for the 21st century.”
The Liberal Democrats have published a document called Fast Track Britain that proposes setting up a Future Transport Fund to provide money for improving public transport.
The income would be generated from the proceeds of lorry road user charging and domestic flights aviation duty.
The document says high-speed rail has been shown to be the transport mode of preference in comparison to short- haul flights – it has a staggering 91 per cent market share of the Paris-Lyon route.
The envisaged high-speed rail link in Britain would start with an “initial link from St Pancras to Heathrow, with onward through-travel to Birmingham and Manchester,” the report says.
“This would be done in stages: building one section, acquiring a revenue stream, and then resuming building work.
“Our priority programme for high-speed rail would commence immediately, to be rolled out over approximately 15 years.
“Much of the high-speed network, stretching west and further north to Scotland, could be part-financed by developers.”
Over the long term, the party would also aim to achieve the electrification of the entire mainline network, in particular the Great Western and Midland main line routes.
“Electrification has double benefits in terms of lowering emissions and also allowing a greater number of services to be run. Currently, just 39 per cent of the railway network is electrified.”
The Lib Dems say rolling franchise agreements for train operators, with performance targets at key renewal points, would provide increased security for companies and so encourage investment and improve services.
They would also encourage greener methods of moving freight, by actively promoting a switch from road and air to rail and water, and by closing strategic gaps in the rail freight network to increase reliability and speed.
The document cites examples of potential rail improvements, including electrification of Trans-Pennine routes as well as Edinburgh-Aberdeen, Hastings-Ashford and Barking-Gospel Oak.
There would be re-doubling of routes such as Exeter-Salisbury, Swindon-Kemble, Oxford-Worcester and the Glasgow South West route.
The Lib Dems envisage new lines, including construction of Airtrack at Heathrow, and a new spur line linking the Arun Valley Line and West Coastway, along with possible re-openings of Oxford-Milton Keynes-Bedford-Cambridge, Glasgow Crossrail and Penrith-Keswick routes. An extension of London Overground from New Cross to Clapham Junction is also proposed.
They also suggest potential station re-openings at Tavistock, Ilkeston, Wantage and Corsham, and new stations at East Midlands Parkway and Corby, in association with the electrification.