UK opposition back high speed rail over 3rd Heathrow runway

[jamesontheroad]

To think that the Conservative Party have shifted this far in their approach to public transport shows you just how much the UK political scene is shifting... Even I, as a hardened leftie, am impressed :lol:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/se...rence.transport

Tories plan £20bn 180mph rail link instead of Heathrow third runwayGuardian, 29 September 2008

A third runway at Heathrow airport would be scrapped by a Tory government that would instead build a £20bn TGV-style high speed rail link between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

In one of David Cameron's boldest moves on the environment, the party will today unveil plans to cut 66,000 flights a year from Heathrow by tempting passengers on to the first new rail line north of London in more than a century.

Theresa Villiers, the shadow transport secretary, told the Guardian last night: "This is a seriously green decision. A few years ago it would have been inconceivable for the leader of the Conservative party to say no to a third runway and putting the brakes on Heathrow expansion."

...

 

[como]

To think that the Conservative Party have shifted this far in their approach to public transport shows you just how much the UK political scene is shifting... Even I, as a hardened leftie, am impressed :lol:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/se...rence.transport

Tories plan £20bn 180mph rail link instead of Heathrow third runwayGuardian, 29 September 2008

A third runway at Heathrow airport would be scrapped by a Tory government that would instead build a £20bn TGV-style high speed rail link between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

In one of David Cameron's boldest moves on the environment, the party will today unveil plans to cut 66,000 flights a year from Heathrow by tempting passengers on to the first new rail line north of London in more than a century.

Theresa Villiers, the shadow transport secretary, told the Guardian last night: "This is a seriously green decision. A few years ago it would have been inconceivable for the leader of the Conservative party to say no to a third runway and putting the brakes on Heathrow expansion."

...

Very impressive if true. Do you think they are sincere or is a campaign promise?

 

[jamesontheroad]

Very impressive if true. Do you think they are sincere or is a campaign promise?

As good as this policy sounds, the Tories did far too much damage the last time they held office, so I'm not planning on voting to find out ...

 

[George Harris]

I know there is NIMBY-ism in the UK as well as the US. How long do you think it would take to get a route built? Or is it that there is the possiblity that the same NIMBY-ism will be out to oppose another runway?