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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| HS2: High-speed rail link 'to be approved' | HS2: High-speed rail link 'to be approved' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A government-backed report has given the clearest signal yet that a new high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham will be approved. | A government-backed report has given the clearest signal yet that a new high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham will be approved. |
| The Network Rail review has looked at two alternatives, favoured by many opponents of the £17bn HS2 scheme. | The Network Rail review has looked at two alternatives, favoured by many opponents of the £17bn HS2 scheme. |
| It concludes both will cause major disruption without solving the longer-term need for greater capacity. | It concludes both will cause major disruption without solving the longer-term need for greater capacity. |
| The government is expected to make its final decision on the controversial £17bn HS2 scheme next week. | |
| The 100-mile connection between London and Birmingham, which would be built between 2016 and 2026, aims to cut the journey time to 49 minutes. It would mark the first phase of HS2, with extensions further north later. | |
| A Y-shaped section taking branches to Manchester, Leeds and possibly further north could be finished by 2033. | A Y-shaped section taking branches to Manchester, Leeds and possibly further north could be finished by 2033. |
| The entire cost of the project is expected to be £32bn. | The entire cost of the project is expected to be £32bn. |
| 'Green light' | 'Green light' |
| The project - introduced by Labour and continued by the coalition government - has proved highly controversial. | The project - introduced by Labour and continued by the coalition government - has proved highly controversial. |
| Opponents say the planned route crosses an area of outstanding natural beauty and it will damage the environment. It also passes through Conservative heartlands and some Tory MPs have strongly objected to the proposal. | |
| The decision to build a brand new, high-speed rail line, straight through some of Britain's most picturesque countryside, has always been controversial. | |
| More than 70 protest groups have been set up to oppose it, saying it's a waste of money, and you can solve the capacity problem by spending the cash on the lines we already have. | |
| The debate's been bitter at times, with claims of Nimbyism, even a Christmas single, all in a bid to influence the final decision. | |
| That decision could be as early as Tuesday, which is why Network Rail has brought out this detailed review, dismissing the opposition's claims that beefing up our existing West Coast Main Line, running longer trains and having fewer first class carriages would sort the long-term problem. | |
| It all points towards a green light for the scheme, but even after the government's decision there's still a long way to go. MPs need to vote it through Parliament, and they won't actually begin building it for another four years. | |
| Critics have argued that overcrowding can be eased by improving the existing line, running longer trains and having fewer first-class carriages. | |
| This latest review by Network Rail looked at two alternative schemes which suggest a series of improvements to the existing West Coast Main Line (WCML). | This latest review by Network Rail looked at two alternative schemes which suggest a series of improvements to the existing West Coast Main Line (WCML). |
| It found that neither would provide enough capacity to meet the predicted passenger demand and both would result in long delays during work on the infrastructure. | It found that neither would provide enough capacity to meet the predicted passenger demand and both would result in long delays during work on the infrastructure. |
| BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott says the report is the "clearest indication yet that the scheme will be given the green light". | BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott says the report is the "clearest indication yet that the scheme will be given the green light". |
| "But we won't know for sure until the government announces its final decision, expected next week," he added. | "But we won't know for sure until the government announces its final decision, expected next week," he added. |
| The report also found that while cost estimates for the two alternatives were "realistic", other factors such as remodelling work at London's Euston station had not been taken into account and the cost of disruption had been underestimated. | The report also found that while cost estimates for the two alternatives were "realistic", other factors such as remodelling work at London's Euston station had not been taken into account and the cost of disruption had been underestimated. |
| It concluded they would "deliver considerably fewer benefits than a new line". | It concluded they would "deliver considerably fewer benefits than a new line". |
| A Network Rail spokesman said: "The capacity case for a new high-speed line is clear. In just over a decade the WCML, Britain's busiest and most economically vital rail artery, will be full with no more space to accommodate the predicted growth in demand. | A Network Rail spokesman said: "The capacity case for a new high-speed line is clear. In just over a decade the WCML, Britain's busiest and most economically vital rail artery, will be full with no more space to accommodate the predicted growth in demand. |
| "Alternative schemes to HS2 have been put forward which would deliver some short-term capacity benefits, but they would come at a heavy price in terms of disruption to passengers and the wider economy." | "Alternative schemes to HS2 have been put forward which would deliver some short-term capacity benefits, but they would come at a heavy price in terms of disruption to passengers and the wider economy." |
| Lucy James, from the Campaign for High Speed Rail, said: "This report is just the latest piece of evidence to show that HS2 is the only game in town when it comes to solving the capacity crisis on Britain's railways." | |
| Are you for or against a new high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham? How will you be affected if the new rail line is approved? Please send us your thoughts using the form below. | Are you for or against a new high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham? How will you be affected if the new rail line is approved? Please send us your thoughts using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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