High speed rail

Will plans for High Speed Rail deliver for the business traveller?

A cohesive plan for High Speed Rail is the single highest priority for the UK's business traveller. The GTMC supports current government plans but stresses the importance of the route extending beyond Birmingham to gain maximum impact.

Above all the route choice should focus on keeping the journey times under the magical 3 and a half hour mark that would switch travellers from plane to train.

It is of critical importance that HSR links into Heathrow to free up additional capacity by reducing short-haul domestic flights from the hub. 

Finally, the new network should reflect the key advantage of rail; the ability of the business traveller to work through their journey. Priority in the planning stages should be given to ensuring that new stations and trains have sufficient space and connectivity to make journeys as productive as possible.