The scheme has polarised opinion, with many residents' groups and local councils bitterly opposing it, but supporters point out the benefits of a reduction in journey times between the UK's two biggest cities.
The scheme has polarised opinion, with many residents' groups and some councils bitterly opposing it, but supporters point out the benefits a reduction in journey times between the UK's two biggest cities could bring.
The biggest reduction in journey time would see the Long Ashton Park and Ride to Hengrove route cut from 50 minutes to 12.
Providing 700 more trains a day linking key northern England cities and a 10-minute reduction in journey times between Manchester and Leeds.
An increase in the level of acceleration and deceleration achieved by a train allows a reduction of journey time (and a potential increase in railway system capacity), or alternatively a reduction in energy use for a given journey time.
The idea of developing the Kra Canal is most welcome by shipping practitioners because of the substantial amount of cost savings, its high level of safety and security, and reduction in journey distance of vessels.
Preferences for services provided by voluntary organisations was lowest and was associated with a willingness to forego a reduction in journey time (-40 minutes) to avoid this type of service.
In October 2011, the Witch Way services underwent a revamp with an increase of journeys between Burnley and Manchester, running every 15 minutes Monday-Saturday daytime, but with a reduction of journeys between Nelson and Manchester, running every 30 minutes Monday-Saturday daytime.
First Great Western managing director Mark Hopwood said: "This is great news for our customers and the railway industry as a whole as it will bring reductions in journey time and a more reliable, environmentally friendly service".
The reduction in train journey times between our two cities would be worth £6.7bn at 2009 prices.
