New high-speed rail link proposed

Rail passengers would also be able to get to Manchester in one hour and 23 minutes, from two hours and eight minutes now.

That would make Manchester a commutable location from London.

Network Rail says the new line is required to ease the pressure on Britain's railways. It says passenger numbers have rocketed by 40% over the past decade, and that by 2024, many existing lines will be at full capacity.

Considering the government seems to keep telling us to get out of our cars it appears that a lot of people have and that the system couldn't handle too many more. Double-decker trains might be a better investment.

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