Proposals for a new high speed line between London and Scotland [1] must include funding for tunnels where the line would pass through protected landscapes, says CPRE [2]. 

The price tag of £34 billion only allows for 34 miles of tunnels out of 1,500 proposed miles of new track [3].Most of these would be for reaching stations in urban areas rather than protecting the countryside.

Ralph Smyth, CPRE’s Senior Transport Campaigner, said:

“Bulldozing a new line straight through the Lake District National Park and Chiltern Hills would be both unacceptable and unrealistic.  Network Rail seems to have ignored the need to protect our most valued landscapes in order to come up with a lower price tag.  Allowance must be made for extensive tunnelling, as is normal for new lines in Germany.  CPRE successfully campaigned for additional tunnels for the High Speed 1 line through the Kent countryside.”

CPRE’s Vision [4] is for a significant increase in rail capacity, with an extended and upgraded rail network forming the low carbon backbone of a sustainable transport system.

Ralph Smyth continued:

“If we are serious about reducing carbon emissions we need to focus on moving more people out of cars and planes and in to trains, not generating new long distance commuting.  Small rail schemes across the country must be given at least as much priority as a new high speed line.”

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1.Network Rail published its Strategic Business Case for New Lines on 26 August, setting out a plan for a £34 billion new line to link London with Scotland as its preferred option.

2.CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

3.These figures are found in section headed The costs on page 7 of the Synopsis of Network Rail’s New Line Study.  As the route is to be twin-tracked, the 1,500 miles of new track would mean about 700 of new route, meaning that less than 5% would be in tunnel.  By comparison of the 68 miles of High Speed 29 miles, or 43% are in tunnel (Source: London & Continental Railways).  Additional tunnelling could cost as much as £12 billion, which would use up almost the entire contingency budget for the new line (Table 11.1 in the Strategic Business Case).

4.CPRE launched 2026 - A Vision for the Countryside in May, setting out a positive and optimistic vision for the future of the beautiful English countryside in 2026, the charity’s centenary year. The Vision’s key issues include: affordable, high quality housing; urban regeneration; Green Belts; better planning; green energy; local food and farming; quality of life; light pollution and valuing the countryside as a national asset.  For further information go to www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/environment/2026-a-vision-for-the-countryside.