High-speed rail proposals 'to be announced'

Date: 11/3/2010

Transport secretary Lord Adonis is to set out his proposals for a high-speed rail network in the UK today (March 11th).

Transport minister Sadiq Khan is also expected to visit the north-west to explain the benefits that a high-speed railway could offer the region.

He is to outline some of the department's intentions at Manchester Piccadilly station this afternoon.

The full proposals will be set out in a white paper to be published today.

It is thought the paper will recommend a route for a new line between London and Birmingham, which could bring journey times between these two cities down to 46 minutes.

Work is unlikely to start on the line, should plans go ahead, before 2017.

The paper is also expected to recommend a future extension to northern England and Scotland.

Late last year, government-backed High Speed Two handed over a report to Lord Adonis making recommendations for the new railway.

At this time, the minister stated 2010 would be the "year of the high-speed railway".