Nrth-South high speed dream

[george matthews]

Could this ever happen? Lots of people think so but where would the money come from?
http://society.guardian.co.uk/communiti ... ?gusrc=rss

Britain's north-south divide could be bridged by a new £30bn high-speed rail link that would reduce journey times from London to Scotland to three hours, according to a new study.
The report by the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) said the link would provide a huge boost to regeneration in the cities on the route.
Presenting the report's findings Graeme Montieth, the chairman of ICE's high-speed rail committee, cited the example of Lille in northern France, which has been transformed since the construction of the Channel Tunnel rail link.
He said: "Lille has benefited greatly since it became a stop on the route. 20 years ago it was a rundown industrial town, but it is now booming because of the link.
"If a high-speed rail route were to be built it should have a similar effect for the northern cities in the UK, with businesses choosing to move on to cities along the route."
The report said that the link could be constructed over a period of 10 years, with the private sector contributing to its cost.
The line would see trains travelling up to 200mph and cut journey times to Manchester and Leeds to 90 minutes.

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