High Speed Rail

Interesting article in the Guardian today on high speed rail developments in the UK. Announcing the new Javelin service from London - Ashford, and some interesting notes on the proposed High Speed Two.

High Speed Two, the company established by Lord Adonis to draw up plans for a
north-to-south high speed line, is expected to deliver its outline plans by the
end of the year. Lord Adonis said building new 140mph routes could be as cheap,
and less disruptive, than upgrading existing lines such as the west coast main
line and the east coast line. Citing a recent estimate that put the cost of an
east coast upgrade at £10bn, the transport secretary said a massive
line-building project could be the easier option. "If we don't build a
north-south line we will have to invest in upgrades for the east coast and west
coast main line and that will be expensive and massively disruptive," he said.