HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown hails the launch of UK high-speed train travel [December 2009]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 December 2009.

Gordon Brown called the Javelin train’s first weekday journey, “a momentous day in the long and glorious history of British railways” during the official launch of the UK’s first domestic high-speed rail service at St Pancras International station this morning.

The new Southeastern Rail service, which runs from London to Kent, can reach speeds of up to 140 mph and will mean a reduction of journey times from up to 69 minutes for commuters.

The Prime Minister said that investment in high-speed rail networks would continue, and that the Government would publish plans by the end of March for a North-South network. He also said that Transport Secretary Lord Adonis would announce the electrification of rail lines between Manchester and Liverpool and Preston later today:

“I know some people who think this is not the time to be investing in infrastructure but I believe it is essential to do so and we will be investing £20 billion in our rail infrastructure in the next few years.”

Mr Brown was joined by Lord Adonis and Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes after whom the train taking its maiden voyage was named.
Lord Adonis said of the new era in UK train travel:

“These fantastic new services, made possible by the government’s investment in this £5.8bn high-speed new line, are changing the transport map of Kent.

“Journey times have shrunk dramatically, bringing regeneration and new opportunities for investment.

“This shows the potential of high-speed rail and we now must consider what it can do for the rest of the country.”