Rail vs air

TGV

Monday, 29, Sep 2008 12:00

The Conservatives say concentrating on a high-speed rail network is a bigger priority than the proposed third runway at Heathrow.

Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers told the Tory party conference in Birmingham she preferred developing Britain's railways to a third runway.

It is a fundamental choice which commits the Conservatives to a transport policy which does not heavily rely, as the current government does, on aviation for its economic future.

Businesses view additional capacity at Heathrow as being a pressing priority, but environmentalists are opposed to a new runway because it would reflect a major new commitment to heavily-polluting aircraft above Britain.

There are many advantages to a high-speed rail network – it would boost the economy by £60 billion, the Tories hope, as well as relieving overcrowding on existing lines and "shrinking divisions" between north and south.

The project would be hugely expensive, however, and must be a long-term solution - the Tories would not expect its completion until 2027.