Research and Reports

Reviving Britain’s Railways

Conservative think-tank the Bow Group says the UK should partially redirect transport infrastructure funding towards railway re-opening. Questioning the relative value of large projects such as High Speed 2, the Bow Group’s report suggests an “alternative proposition”. It argues in favour of a competitive bidding process for re-openings and says potential private funding should be explored as a way to help it happen. Also, a Department for Transport minister should be made specifically responsible for re-opening. The Bow Group report also favours creating more capacity by upgrading routes rather than building new lines.