The Railway Industry Association has reaffirmed its support for HS2, the high speed railway planned for London to Birmingham, eventually linking through to the North and Scotland.
At the April meeting of RIA’s Council, members declared their strong support for the project and voted for continuing to supporting research promoting HS2, as well as stepping up RIA’s own activities.
They welcomed recent assurances from Secretary of State Philip Hammond MP that funding for HS2 would not be diverted from the existing rail network.
“It is clear that key parts of the existing railway network are approaching maximum capacity and action is needed. This is a once-in-a-century opportunity to launch a step-change to Britain’s transport network,” commented RIA Chairman Colin Walton.
RIA Director General Jeremy Candfield added:
“RIA members have helped deliver numerous high speed rail projects around the world and have seen the enormous transport and economic advantages that they bring. It is high time that Britain benefitted from its own high speed network.”
