IMechE advises government to invest in railway

[John]

Given that this could fit in so many different threads, I thought I would create my own to spam the place up a bit


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7277757.stm

"The UK needs a "modal shift" from road to rail if greenhouse gas emissions from transport are to be curbed, an [IMechE] report concludes."

"Whatever changes are made, IMechE considers the "modal shift" will necessitate some investment in infrastructure, including new high-speed lines that can carry more trains significantly faster than the UK's existing stock."


For those that don't know IMechE = Institute of Mechanical Engineers
"Established in 1847, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) is the leading body for professional mechanical engineers. With a world-wide membership now in excess of 75,000 engineers, the IMechE is the United Kingdom's qualifying body for Chartered and Incorporated mechanical engineers."

One can but hope the government will listen to such a large, professional organisation....

[Kevo00]

Interesting, although I agree with the idea of HSLs I suspect the chances for modal shift are rather limited outside of the London area and select other corridors, because they just don't have the population densities to make rail worthwhile. The problem is that there aren't enough places in a lot of the UK where enough people want to go in the same direction at the same time to make a train worthwhile.

A train with one passenger on it still generates a larger carbon footprint than a Lamborgini, even if you drive it backwards.