Speaking of Railroads and the UK

Artist/Designer: A R Harrison. Published by: Railway Executive Committee. Date: 1939.

Check out these three reports from Transport 2000, the UK's "national environmental transport body," and think about the difference compared to railroad transportation "planning" in the United States.

Growing the Railways Manifesto
Passenger journeys on Britain’s railways last year exceeded one billion, the highest since 1959, and train operators estimate that demand for rail travel will grow by 66 per cent over the next 20 years. But parts of the network are already bursting at the seams and desperately need expanding. Other parts of the network will soon reach capacity as demand for rail use continues to rise. Yet, despite the increasing demand for rail travel, closures and cuts are on the agenda, with local rail services and stations on main lines particularly under threat. The Growing the Railways Manifesto, produced by Transport 2000, and endorsed by 21 organisations including AMICUS, Friends of the Earth, the CBI and Help the Aged, calls on Government to grow the railways as it prepares its new strategy on the future of rail. Read press release Read Growing the Railways Manifesto online

The Case for Rail
Prepared by Steer Davies Gleave for Transport 2000, the Association of Train Operating Companies, English Welsh and Scottish Railways, the Railway Industry Association, the Railway Forum, the Rail Passengers Council and the Passenger Transport Executive Group July 2002; 66 pages. An audit of the value of rail to the nation, revealing that rail is worth £3 billion a year in reduced road congestion and casualties and in environmental and health benefits. Read The Case for Rail online

Destination Passenger: Towards a Door-to-Door Railway
Published by Transport 2000's Platform network April 2001; 52 pages. A study of the 'soft' aspects of rail development, including integration with other modes, access for disabled people, fares, facilities on trains and at stations, personal security, information, social inclusion and consultation and participation. Read Destination Passenger: Towards a Door-to-Door Railway online

Index Keywords: railroads