East West Rail welcomed, but Government has ‘missed a trick’ by failing to make it fully electric
Responding to the Chancellor’s announcement of funding for East-West Rail today, Silviya Barrett, from Campaign for Better Transport, said:
“The commitment to build around existing and any future railway stations is very welcome and something we have long campaigned for. As is the commitment to improve rail links between Oxford and Cambridge, but we are very disappointed that the line will not be electrified. The Government has missed a trick here. Few countries in Europe have built any non-electrified track in recent years and not committing to a fully electric East West Rail looks like a failure to future-proof the project.”
Commenting on the announcement of a review of the Green Book, Ms Barrett said: “We welcome a review of the Green Book but will need to see just what this means for transport investment in practice. What we want to see is a greater recognition of the true economic, social and environmental benefits of public transport, and not just a way to get more new roads approved quicker.”
ENDS
For further information please contact the press office on 07984 773 468 (calls only no texts) or communications@bettertransport.org.uk.
Notes to Editors
- Campaign for Better Transport published a report in 2017 called Development around stations Exploring international experience and lessons for the UK which examined the international experience of creating development hubs around railway stations and the benefits that can bring.
- Campaign for Better Transport operates in England and Wales. Campaign for Better Transport’s vision is for all communities to have access to high quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life and protects the environment. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).
