Commuter trains to provide thousands of new spaces

Date: 11/8/2011

Popular commuter train services across the UK are to benefit from an increase in capacity.

According to the Department for Transport, space for 8,800 more rail passengers will be incorporated on routes in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Liverpool.

Rail Minister Theresa Villiers announced that a government-funded deal will help deliver the project, which will see additional carriages being introduced on Northern Rail, First Great Western and London Midland services.

It is hoped that they will be rolled out by December, which could mean they are operational ahead of the Christmas rush.

Ms Villiers said: "Today's good news has been made possible by our plans to introduce 2,700 new rail carriages on to the network by May 2019."

She added that the coalition remains committed to investing in the UK's train service in order to ensure commuters have a more comfortable journey and do not suffer from overcrowding.

Another way in which the government believes passengers could benefit is through the introduction of a high-speed rail network.

A consultation into these proposals closed in July.

Posted by Mary Treen