High-speed rail line considered (BBC News)
 

A new high-speed rail line with trains travelling at 186mph is being considered for the South West.

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They will have to go faster than 186mph if they want to dodge the waves at Dawlish :D

If it is run by First Great Western then they wont have to worry too much as the trains will all be off or late anyway.

Well on the plus side, when the British summer comes for one day, everyone will be able to get to Newquay quicker. ;)

Personally I think this move would be excellent for Britain and the Railways.

I just don't think it'll actually ammount to anything close to what's being proposed here.

Yes I think you're right.
In this car-loving country of ours most people still look upon the railways as a joke and will do everything in their power to hinder any new construction. The roads will have ground to a halt long before these people can be convinced of the benefits of rail.

Doubtful.
 

Does anyone think that this is really going to happen ? How many times have we heard these wonderful announcements before. Network Rail may dream up these schemes but will they ever see the light of day? I remain,as always,very very sceptical.

Spot on Dave, there is more chance of me walking to tne moon, and I dont mean to be sceptical, I just dont believe anyone in authority any more.
Mouths are moving, noise coming out, lies.
Paul.

It's all very well Network Rail 'considering' it, THEY aren't the ones who make the decisions or have to fund it.

The case has to put to ORR/DfT, and they would decide according to a cost benefit analysis.

When you consider that DfT wants to reduce the amount of spending for the next few financial periods and that most of the available money is already accounted for (eg, Thameslink 2000 & Crossrail,etc), I doubt very much whether this one will see the light of day.

Lets look on the positive side: there does seem to be an increase in the idea that a genuine high speed rail system for the UK may, just may be a good idea!

Anyone think this is the old "good news to cover over bad news" press statement, As recently read Goverment were pushing for major savings to be made in NR budgets. Will be suprised if anything happens in next 10 years.

Hi John,
You are right it is a good idea, and we do need new rail links. Its just that we spend years talking about them, but do nothing but talk about them.
Meanwhile they just get on with building them over the channel.
Paul.