250mph trains to run through the East Midlands
Super fast trains travelling at up to 250mph will run through the East Midlands on a new high speed rail network announced by the Government today.
Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said that a network would run from London to Birmingham and then split with one branch running to Manchester and another running to the East Midlands and on to Leeds.
Initial plans show a single high-speed station serving Derby, Leicester and Nottingham – though it was unclear this morning exactly where the station would be built.
It could be at East Midlands Parkway or somewhere else in the East Midlands.
Lord Adonis said the plan would cut journey times and improve connections from the East Midlands to other parts of the country.
"This strategy is for the development of an initial core high speed network which would link London to Birmingham, Manchester, the East Midlands, Sheffield and Leeds," he said.
"This Y-shaped network of about 335 miles in total, with branches north of Birmingham running either side of the Pennines, would be capable of carrying trains at up to 250 mph."
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by Chris, Leicestershire
Friday, March 12 2010, 10:04AM
“The article also fails to mention that they have said work is unlikely to even start until 2017 . By the time it is finished I will be to old to enjoy it. Besides in 7 years there will be plenty of time for the government to shelf the plans.”
by Ross Grant, Leicester
Friday, March 12 2010, 9:36AM
“Agree with everyone who has said this article is misleading.
The one thing the Gov't refuse to commit to is electrification of our existing line, which is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to improve our service.
The Government have floated a balloon ahead of an election with speculative lines drawn through virtually everywhere in the Country. Very convenient, carrot to everyone, but nothing definite.
When the Government minister came to Leicester yesterday for a quick press launch the Labour parliamentary candidate for West was also invited, but no politician from any other party. Basically a stunt.”
by Ian, Leicester
Thursday, March 11 2010, 3:51PM
“As Robert Jamieson has correctly stated the article is inaccurate. The scheme announced today does not include a link to the East Midlands, the proposal for such a link is merely at the "for future consideration" stage.”
by Michael, Leicester
Thursday, March 11 2010, 3:39PM
“Yuk, the thought of Nottingham being only 10 minutes up the line, what a nightmare.”
by notty, notts
Thursday, March 11 2010, 3:28PM
“250mph is the best speed to appreciate Leicester at”
by Julie, Leicester
Thursday, March 11 2010, 2:50PM
“They can plan all they like, I suspect it will all come to nothing anyway when they start asking around to see who has the money to pay for it...”
by James, London
Thursday, March 11 2010, 2:43PM
“This train was planned originally for the olympics I believe, to alleviate the pressure on Heathrow Airport - it'll take the same time to get from Birmingham to Euston on these highspeed trains as it does currently to get from Heathrow to Euston on the tube, I'd have thought the best bet would be to put the station near EMA if they decide to connect the East Midlands, and that's IF - there is a very real chance they just wont bother.
Anyway, based on the old plans I'd predict that it'll be somewhere near EMA with perhaps the need for a connector system with leicester , nottingham and derby of non highspeed trains, that's how i'd do it, then people can stay in the hotels in the midlands but get into london in about half an hour start to finish. Saves people money because hotels in leicester are so much cheaper than down here and bolsters the economy of the midlands! Whatever happens, the people of the midlands should try their best to make sure people don't just land and get on these trains down south, make sure Leicestershire makes a good impression.”
by y.s., Leicester
Thursday, March 11 2010, 2:19PM
“If the train is comming via Birmingham its a longer trip so pointless to Leicester.
Stick to what you got as far as Leicester is concerned.”
by Lois, Home
Thursday, March 11 2010, 1:51PM
“So the headline should be "New high speed trains proposed. Not stopping here." Er, not much of a story, is it?”
by AK, Haringey, London
Thursday, March 11 2010, 1:36PM
“A of Leicester - I think every city will think it's important for their economy to be the first stop, how do you win that one?
I think when it breaks off from Birmingham it will travel via Tamworth & Derby. So not 'totally' bypassing the East Midlands as Robert said,”