Upcoming Events :
Housing Seminar: Partnerships with the Public Sector – Avoiding the pitfalls
Thu 31 May 2012
Minerva House, 5 Montague Close, London, SE1 9BB
West Coast Main Line 'to reach capacity by 2024'
Thu 27 Oct 2011
The West Coast Main Line could reach full capacity in little more than a decade, the government has stated.
According to Theresa Villiers, the rail minister, the network is "expected to be full by 2024".
The government has this week confirmed that extra carriages and seats are to be made available on the line from April 2012 - a development described by Ms Villiers as "great news" for passengers.
However, she stated that the growing pressure on the network highlights why the planned high-speed rail network for England needs to be built.
The HS2 project would involve creating a line between London and Birmingham, followed by extensions to Leeds and Manchester.
Ms Villiers added that the West Coast Main Line is one of the UK's "busiest and most important rail arteries".
Richard Bull, solicitor in Winckworth Sherwood's rail unit, commented: "Ministers have of late emphasised the West Coast Main Line capacity challenge as a key factor in driving the HS2 agenda.
"The government has been concerned to show that HS2 has more to commend it than just the advantage of speed."
HS2 is expected to cost £32 billion, but the government believes it will create approximately £44 billion worth of economic benefits.
