DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (013) issued by The Government News Network
on 30 January 2008
Transport
Secretary, Ruth Kelly, today published details of how extra
capacity will be delivered on some of the rail network's
busiest routes.
1300 extra carriages were promised as part of last year's
White Paper - Delivering a Sustainable Railway - which set out
plans to increase capacity to carry over 180m more passengers over
the next seven years - growth of more than 20%.
Today's publication of the Rolling Stock Plan is a major
step forward in meeting that commitment by providing indicative
numbers of additional carriages needed by English Train Operating
Companies to meet the ambitious plans for growth of our railways
until 2014.
Extra capacity will be secured through additional new carriages
and through re-deployment of existing carriages which will mean
longer vehicles can run on busy routes and at peak times.
The new carriages will increase the current rolling stock fleet
of around 10% and around 100,000 extra seats each day on the
busiest parts of the network.
Ruth Kelly said:
"Passenger numbers have grown by an unprecedented 40% over
the last decade, so that more people than ever before are
travelling by train. The Government is investing £10bn to increase
capacity on the railways benefiting those travelling on the
busiest routes in cities like Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle,
Manchester and London.
"Following today's publication of the rolling stock
plan, Network Rail can now begin their preparations for extending
platforms, depots and sidings to accommodate longer trains. This
is a major step forward towards fulfilling our commitment to
tackle overcrowding on the busiest routes and, deliver real
improvements for rail passengers."
Detailed discussions with Network Rail and Train Operating
Companies will continue and proposals assessed to ensure plans
deliver value for money to both passengers and taxpayers.
Notes to Editors
1. Copies of Delivering a Sustainable Railway and the Rolling
Stock Plan are available online on the DfT website: http://www.dft.gov.uk
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk