High-speed Rail

Baroness Bray of Coln Excerpts

Tuesday 10th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Justine Greening]

It is fair to say that our focus must be on making sure that the Y network and, in particular at this point, phase 1 of that network happens. I am happy to discuss with the Scottish Government their proposals and ideas for how we broaden that network further in the future.

[Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con)]

I very much welcome the statement, particularly confirmation that the station at Heathrow will go through in phase 2. Does the Secretary of State agree that when phase 2 is completed and there is a direct link from the north to Heathrow, that should make a significant contribution to reducing the pressure of domestic flights at Heathrow?

[Justine Greening]

I agree with that. We have estimated that around 4.5 million air flights a year will transfer on to high-speed rail as a result of this.