New concept sees passengers change between moving trains


n


The designer of the Pendolino has proposed a new concept in train travel, which would see passengers able to change from high speed trains to local trams – while the trains are still moving. The system, which is more


likely to find its way into the sci-fi section of Blockbusters than into


a DfT policy document, is called Moving Platforms. It involves a network of high speed trains that run non-stop between two ends of a continent. The trains run on a line that passes outside towns and cities with a network of local feeder trams carrying passengers from local stops out to meet them.


As they near each other, the


high speed train slows down and the tram speeds up alongside it, at which point the trains connect via a docking system, allowing passengers to transfer directly across from the tram to the high speed train and vice versa. Paul Priestman, of


Priestmangoode, said: ‘I can’t believe that across the world we are spending billions on high speed rail making it run on a network that was invented in the 19th Century. ‘I’m under no illusion that


Moving Platforms is a big idea, but if we really want high speed rail to be successful and change the way we travel, getting people off the roads and reducing the number of short haul flights, it is imperative that the infrastructure we use works with, not against, this new technology to enable a seamless passenger journey from start to destination.’


Artist’s impression of a tram pulling alongside a high speed train


n A short film of the concept can be seen at: www.vimeo. com/25403519


LONDON ‘GETS TRIPLE SPENDING’ n


Transport spend for London is close to triple the spend


in the north of England and West Midlands, according to a report by the Passenger Transport Executive Group.


Pteg’s analysis of Treasury public


spending figures has found that spending on transport in London


has now risen to £802 per head, compared with £286 per head for the West Midlands and the north of England combined. Geoff Inskip, chair of Pteg,


said: ‘Our cities are economic powerhouses but a greater level of transport investment in Britain’s major urban centres is needed to


West Coast ‘dependent on new high speed line’ to increase capacity


The need for a new high speed line from London to Birmingham and Manchester forms the central tenet of Network Rail’s route utilisation strategy for the West Coast Main Line. Forecasts predict that the line


will be running at full capacity at the southern end by 2024. A new line will help to free up the existing line for faster commuter journeys.


Other plans for the line


between 2012 and 2024 include running longer trains, more off-peak long-distance trains and faster services between Birmingham and Manchester. Network Rail believes that


increases in the amount of freight carried can be accommodated, but it recommends a move towards electric traction to improve both journey times and capacity.


However, this would require some infill electrification, as well as the electrifying of freight terminals. Paul Plummer, Network Rail’s


help bridge the north-south divide and ensure that we can boost our economic performance and reach our potential.’ He points to projects such as the


redevelopment of St Pancras, the introduction of Oyster cards and the Tube upgrade as the main consumers of funding in the capital.


group strategy director, said: ‘The West Coast Main Line is Britain’s busiest and most economically vital rail artery – but by 2024 it will be full, with no more space to accommodate the continued predicted growth in demand. ‘There is broad consensus


that Britain needs a high speed network to provide better, faster journeys for passengers and create the extra capacity we need.’


Lib Dems: Northern Hub ‘threatened’ n


The fall-out from May’s local elections that saw Labour sweep to power has


continued, with Liberal Democrats claiming that government spending on the Northern Hub improvements could be threatened. Lib Dem group leader Councillor Richard Knowles has written to transport minister Norman Baker after being denied a major position on the new Transport for Greater Manchester. He said: ‘I assured him that TfGM’s Liberal Democrat opposition will continue to vigorously


PAGE 8 AUGUST 2011


promote the case for transport investment and transport policies which enhance sustainable transport, economic development and social inclusion in Greater Manchester. ‘I fear that Labour’s partisan power grab


will undermine the effectiveness of Greater Manchester’s hitherto successful all-party campaign on transport investment. The chance of securing new investment in much needed new railway carriages, the £500m-plus Northern Hub and further electrification schemes has been put at risk.’


Labour has returned to power after three years of being kept in opposition by a Lib Dem/ Conservative coalition. New chair Andrew Fender said: ‘He is


huffing and puffing hot air. How he can realistically claim that on a body of 33 members, with only four members, they could realistically expect to have a senior position in the administration is a flight of fantasy.’ He said he hoped to continue Greater


Manchester’s traditional all-party approach to lobbying the government.


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