The sustainable branch line: how rail can aid regeneration

The Strategic Rail Authority published its Strategic Plan1 on 14 January. It highlights rail’s advantages in promoting regeneration, social inclusion and sustainability and outlines how the government’s objectives for growth over the next 10 years can be achieved. The target for the passenger network is 50 per cent growth, and for freight an even bigger 80 per cent increase, with £33.5bn of public funds available.