A new high-speed train line from London to Birmingham and the North must be in place in ten years time to avoid critical levels of rail congestion, the Government's chief transport adviser has warned. Professor David Begg, chairman of the Commission for Integrated Transport (CFIT), called on Ministers to look beyond the current performance crisis on the network and plan for a 200mph national infrastructure. CFIT backed a north-south link to allow travellers from Birmingham to reach London in 55 minutes and cutting times from Glasgow to the capital to three hours. Prof Begg said: "There's been a lack of long-term planning in the past - that's what's got us into the present difficulties. Why do we not have high-speed rail in Britain?" He said the current main rail lines would be full in 11 years at the present rate of growth in rail use, which is still rocketing despite years of poor performance across the network. If, as expected, some form of road pricing is introduced by the Department of Transport to encourage motorists to switch to public transport, the capacity point could be reached even sooner. "In planning terms, it's not a million miles away," he said. A report for CFIT by consultants Steer Davies Gleave (SDG) states a new high-speed line with sophisticated signalling could handle 220 services a day, compared to a maximum of 98 once the West Coast Main Line is upgraded. Also, the use of longer trains could carry 50 per cent more passengers. Prof Begg added: "This study demonstrates clearly that high-speed lines are not only desirable in shrinking journey times between main cities but are essential if we are to deal with capacity constraints that are building up on our intercity network. "2015 is a key juncture for us in terms of our capacity limit. But, given the long lead times, the planning needs to start now. "High-speed rail will reduce congestion as well as bring environmental and safety gains. Quite sensibly the Government should only bring forward schemes that offer value for money and which will reap economic and social benefits. "The message for the Government is be visionary, be bold, cut down on red tape and let the railways have a real chance to show their true potential." CFIT further advised the government the £8 billion upgrade of the West Coast Main line has shown that resolving capacity constraints on the live network can be very disruptive, time consuming and expensive. The Strategic Rail Authority, however, has shelved plans for a highspeed line and is unable to say when a consultation on the proposals, which has already been postponed three times, will begin. A feasibility study commissioned by SRA chairman Richard Bowker in August 2001 found there was a good business case for the proposals. However, it is now focusing on reducing spiralling costs. | 
