User:Dpeilow/UK High Speed Rail
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Following the successful opening of the first phase of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), there has been much debate in the national media and specialist rail circles on the merits of constructing further high speed rail routes in the UK.
The international definition of high speed rail for new lines is those with a speed of at least 250km/h. Most international lines operate at 300km/h with some running of 320km/h taking place on the LGV Méditerranée line to the south of France. The Spanish and Japanese are both constructing lines designed for 350km/h operation that are due to open in the near future.
The fastest current UK domestic services operate at 200km/h on the West Coast Main Line, East Coast Main Line and Great Western Main Line. Attempts to increase these speeds to 225km/h on both the WCML and ECML have failed for various reasons (see their respective pages), however trains capable of this speed will be introduced on services to Kent in 2009.
Perhaps because of the continuing growth of high speed services across continental Europe and the frustrations encountered by domestic rail projects in the UK, there has been a growing movement within industry and latterly government circles for the inclusion of a new north-south line in transport policy.