Motorists and air travellers could fit £69bn bill for 200mph

[B Oeuf]

A study has found that the new 200mph rail network that the Government is considering would cost each person in the £1,000. The work would involve 930 miles of both new and upgraded rail lines and would cost a total of GBP 69bn. However, it is thought that for every GBP 1 invested in the scheme that GBP 3.50 of economic benefits will eventually be delivered. The study has been funded by local authorities located along the proposed routes and by the rail industry. It suggests that in order to fund the network that a charge be imposed on air passengers and motorists. The network is expected to attract 178mn passengers each year and the study states that whilst most of these passengers will have transferred from the existing slower rail routes, only 17% will have transferred from air travel and only 7% will have transferred from cars. The study also points out that the new lines will reduce journey times between London and Glasgow or Edinburgh by almost two hours, and would cut journey times from London to Leeds, Manchester or Newcastle by one hour. It suggests that the network should be constructed over a period of 25 years, with priority being given to the most congested routes.
The Times, 17 Sep 2009

[alfabadass]

I can't wait 25 years.

Can we have it now please?

And why so much?

[MoleVision]

Whats the betting that in 25 years most of it will be redundant anyway.