New Lines Programme

We are publishing this at a time when more passengers are choosing to travel by rail than at any time for sixty years. The railway is safer than it has ever been, and punctuality is at its highest since records began
Network Rail, as the operator of Britain’s rail infrastructure, has undertaken a study to examine the strategic case for New Lines and help shape the future of our railways.

The key aim of the New Line project is to meet future demands for additional rail capacity from passengers and freight users. A new line will provide additional capacity in two ways:

• Through the provision of capacity on the new line itself; and
• Through the associated release of capacity on the classic rail network. 

The New Lines Programme has demonstrated that there is good value for money case for New Lines, which would meet the national objectives through

• Providing the necessary future additional passenger capacity on the national rail network through the development of a value for money new line intervention;
• Relieving future passenger and freight capacity constraints and improve connectivity on the classic rail network;
• Supporting national economic competitiveness and growth by improving connectivity between key economic markets;
• Supporting the government’s targets for reducing transport emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, by encouraging modal shift from air and road to rail; and
• Promoting greater equality of opportunity by improving accessibility to key markets through the significant reduction of journey times between them.

The strategic business case document and other supporting analysis can be found below. Responses can be sent to: NewLinesProgramme@networkrail.co.uk or to New Lines Programme, Route Planning, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG.

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Main documents

Supporting documents