Network Rail has begun a consultation into the future of long-distance rail services in the UK.
The Long Distance Market Study will inform the development of long-distance rail travel over the next 10 to 30 years.
Richard Eccles, Network Rail’s head of strategic planning, said: “The goals of our study are to identify where rail can have the biggest effect on three key areas – namely enabling economic growth, improving people’s quality of life and reducing the impact of travel on the environment.
“Rail has a unique ability to offer fast and efficient connectivity for businesses and communities, while also being a greener, less carbon hungry form of travel.
“Only by planning many years ahead will we be able to keep trains moving and meet demand.”
This sounds useful even if the PR quote is a bit touchy feely. Is it, however, really another Serpell?
Long distance services can only work effectively with a minimum number of stops and therefore, efficient timetabling will be absolutely essential. it would be pointless running, say, a Birmingham to Aberdeen service if was constantly held behind late-running local services and called at every other station en-route. Passengers travelling on such a service would want to reach their destinations at a reasonable hour – not be arriving late evening having left home after breakfast.