Build a high speed rail network to cut UK carbon emissions

Jim Steer, Director, Greengauge 21

Jim Steer, Director, Greengauge 21

Most of the answer lies in changes in local travel. But a third of person-travel comes from journeys of over 50 miles. Here travel demand increases as a function of economic growth (to which one day soon, I hope, we shall return). New research by ITS/Leeds for the Independent Transport Commission verifies this fact. Much of the travel in this category is vital to a vibrant economy.

So what we need is an honest approach that recognises we have several big picture policy objectives: we want both...