UK Plans to Replace Domestic Flights with High-Speed Rail

9 August 2009 (Last Updated August 9th, 2009 18:30)

The UK has announced plans to develop a 250mph high-speed rail network across the country to eliminate the need for domestic flights. Announcing the plan, UK Department for Transport (DfT) secretary Lord Adonis said that short-haul flights between Britain and Europe and domestic flights s

The UK has announced plans to develop a 250mph high-speed rail network across the country to eliminate the need for domestic flights.

Announcing the plan, UK Department for Transport (DfT) secretary Lord Adonis said that short-haul flights between Britain and Europe and domestic flights should be "progressively replaced" by a rail network.

The plan will make nearly 46 million domestic air passengers every year take high-speed trains to commute.

The move is aimed at reducing congestion on existing lines, cutting down travel times within the country and reducing carbon impact.

A company, High Speed Two, has been set up by the DfT secretary to develop plans for the first phase of the network. The team will submit the proposal to the department later this year, reports Telegraph.co.uk.

Rail union RMT is supporting the plan.