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Tories set out rail reform plans Tories seek quicker rail trips
(about 8 hours later)
The Conservatives are promising a "long-term" vision for Britain's railways, offering "practical solutions" to customers' problems. A high-speed north-south rail line will slash journey times between London and cities such as Birmingham and Manchester under Conservative plans.
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said longer trains, longer platforms and additional lines were needed to end "chronic overcrowding". Trips between London and Birmingham would be cut to 45 minutes while those to Manchester would fall to 80 minutes.
She repeated the Tory plan for a new high-speed north-south train line. The line, to be built by 2027, is at the heart of what the Tories said was a "long-term" vision for the railways.
Labour said the Tories underfunded rail for years. The Lib Dems said they could not be trusted to deliver the changes.Labour said the Tories underfunded rail for years. The Lib Dems said they could not be trusted to deliver the changes.
Ms Villiers will set out a plan for Britain's railways, including creating a "passengers' champion", making more use of existing track and allowing companies to hold franchises for longer periods. 'Overcrowding'
Timetabling Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said longer trains, longer platforms and additional lines were needed to end "chronic overcrowding".
The high-speed line linking London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds would cut journey times and would later be extended to Newcastle and Scotland, the party said. She promised "practical solutions" to customers' problems, including the creation of a "passengers' champion", making more use of existing track and allowing companies to hold franchises for longer periods.
The Tories are also promising to increasing the powers of rail regulators to create a "passengers' champion", with the ability to bring in penalties for operators. The high-speed line would initially link London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, with journey times from the capital to Leeds being cut by about half an hour to 97 minutes.
By building a new high-speed line connecting London, Birmingham Manchester and Leeds, the Conservatives will take a major step forward in transforming the UK's transport infrastructure Theresa Villiers, Conservatives PROPOSED JOURNEY TIMES FROM 2027(MINUTES) London to Birmingham: 45London to Manchester: 80London to Leeds: 97Manchester to Leeds: 17
Work on the project, which would cost an estimated £1.3bn a year, would begin in 2015 and conclude in 2027, although the first parts of the line would be likely to be opened before that.
The line would later be extended to Newcastle and Scotland.
The Tories are also promising to increase the powers of rail regulators to create a "passengers' champion", with the ability to bring in penalties for operators.
They say they would scale back government involvement in areas such as timetabling and purchasing new trains.They say they would scale back government involvement in areas such as timetabling and purchasing new trains.
The party is promising to make 15 to 20-year rail franchises the norm to give greater certainty and encourage investment.The party is promising to make 15 to 20-year rail franchises the norm to give greater certainty and encourage investment.
There would also be a moratorium on building on disused rail lines, to increase the possibility of reopening them.There would also be a moratorium on building on disused rail lines, to increase the possibility of reopening them.
Ms Villiers said: "These plans set out our long-term vision for Britain's railways and provide practical solutions to concerns rail users face every day.Ms Villiers said: "These plans set out our long-term vision for Britain's railways and provide practical solutions to concerns rail users face every day.
By building a new high-speed line connecting London, Birmingham Manchester and Leeds, the Conservatives will take a major step forward in transforming the UK's transport infrastructure Theresa Villiers, Conservatives
"Our rail network is suffering from chronic levels of over-crowding. We desperately need new capacity - longer trains, longer platforms and, ultimately, additional lines."Our rail network is suffering from chronic levels of over-crowding. We desperately need new capacity - longer trains, longer platforms and, ultimately, additional lines.
"By building a new high-speed line connecting London, Birmingham Manchester and Leeds, the Conservatives will take a major step forward in transforming the UK's transport infrastructure. But we also recognise the need to tackle the issues that plague our existing railways and which Labour continue to ignore.""By building a new high-speed line connecting London, Birmingham Manchester and Leeds, the Conservatives will take a major step forward in transforming the UK's transport infrastructure. But we also recognise the need to tackle the issues that plague our existing railways and which Labour continue to ignore."
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon accused her of having "a short memory".Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon accused her of having "a short memory".
He said: "The Tory years were characterised by under-investment in Britain's railways. Years of under-funding and a botched privatisation resulted in instability and unreliability.He said: "The Tory years were characterised by under-investment in Britain's railways. Years of under-funding and a botched privatisation resulted in instability and unreliability.
"Today, thanks to Labour investment and the stability we have brought to the management of our rail network, more people are travelling by train than at any time since the 1940s.""Today, thanks to Labour investment and the stability we have brought to the management of our rail network, more people are travelling by train than at any time since the 1940s."
Lib Dem transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "The Tories simply cannot be trusted to deliver the rail network that Britain needs.Lib Dem transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "The Tories simply cannot be trusted to deliver the rail network that Britain needs.
"They have embraced the concept of high-speed rail, but they won't say how they'll pay for it and their plans won't start until the Parliament after next.""They have embraced the concept of high-speed rail, but they won't say how they'll pay for it and their plans won't start until the Parliament after next."