Britains railways need to double capacity

Train operators have warned that British railways must double their capacity over the next 30 years if they are to cope with demand from passengers.In a joint report with infrastructure owner Network Rail, they say long-term plans must be made within five years.

New lines will have to be constructed, rather than simply adding extra trains because up to three times as many passengers could be travelling on the railways by 2020, according to the report from Network Rail, the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) and the Rail Freight Operators' Association. It says demand for rail could even triple in the period beyond 2040.

Regulation director Paul Plummer said: "With railway assets having a typical life of between 30 to 60 years, a long-term strategic view of what our railways will need to deliver in the decades ahead is essential."

The reports claims that if capacity is increased, including new high speed lines, internal flights could be all but replaced.A study into the feasibility of building new lines alongside five of the UK's busiest routes will be published in the summer.The routes include the East Coast main line, West Coast main line, the Great Western main line, the Midland main line and the Chiltern route.The report says capacity problems also need to be addressed on routes to Kent, Brighton and the South West.