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Transport secretary Justine Greening has today (July 16th) announced a £9.4 billion package of improvements to the rail network.
The 'High Level Output Specification' programme for 2014 to 2019 includes £5.2 billion worth of works to which the government has already committed, such as Crossrail, Thameslink and electrification between London and Cardiff.
New schemes funded by the remaining £4.2 billion will include upgrades to increase city commuter capacity by 140,000, the creation of a so-called high-capacity 'electric spine' running from Yorkshire and the west Midlands to south coast ports and the full electrification of the Great Western Main Line out of London Paddington.
Commenting on the investment programme which he will discuss at today's meeting of the Cabinet with Nick Clegg, prime minister David Cameron said: "In what is the biggest modernisation of our railways since the Victorian era this investment will mean faster journeys, more seats, better access to stations, greater freight links and a truly world class rail network."
Author: Editor Gavin Pearson (gpearson@acenet.co.uk or 0207 202 0255)
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