Bullet trains shoot to UK shores

Thursday, 28 October 2004 12:00 AM

Japanese bullet trains will be speeding their way across Kent in five years time, the Department of Transport announced yesterday.

Passengers could be transported between London St Pancras and Kent at speeds of up to 140mph, with journey times between Ashford in Kent and London slashed by 40 minutes.

Bullet train manufacturer, Hitachi, is to provide the rolling stock for the new service across South East England, according to Transport Minister Alastair Darling.

The thirty bullet trains - costing an estimated £200 million - will feature in Britain's bid to host the Olympics in 2012.

The trains, which will share the high-speed track with the Eurostar trains, are due to come into operation in 2009.

"We're today confirming the new high speed domestic service, which will make use of the new Channel Tunnel rail link," Mr Darling said yesterday.

"This service will also be the flagship transport scheme to deliver people to and from the Olympic Games, should the UK bid be successful.

"The technology on these trains is cutting edge, which could help reduce journey times between Ashford and central London by 40 minutes each way."

The contract to run the bullet trains will be put out to tender within weeks, the Department of Transport confirmed.

David Quarmby, chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, said passengers on the bullet trains could expect "a high level of reliability, comfort and speed from these trains".

Eurostar is expected to run the fastest trains in the UK, with a top speed of 186mph, with the bullet trains second, ahead of the 125mph Pendolino "tilting trains" on the West Coast main line.

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