IEP given go-ahead by Transport Minister

Date: 2/3/2011

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced that the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) has been given the go-ahead.

According to the Department for Transport, the £4.5 billion project will see old high-speed intercity trains in the UK be replaced with a new fleet of 500 carriages, helping to make 11,000 more peak-time seats available for passengers daily on the Great Western Main Line (GWML) and East Coast Main Line.

In addition, the GWML between Cardiff, Bristol and Didcott will be electrified at a cost of £704 million.

Electric trains are faster than their diesel counterparts, as well as quieter, smoother and more reliable, the department claims.

It is hoped that the projects will create thousands of jobs and boost the economy, in addition to improving the UK's train service.

"Extending electrification westwards to Bristol and Cardiff will also bring all the benefits of electric trains - faster acceleration, greater comfort and cleaner, greener travel - to rail passengers in Wales and the south-west," Mr Hammond says.

The government is currently consulting on plans to construct a high-speed rail network, which would start in London and extend through Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and other major cities.

Posted by Nick Anderson