UK Rail Seeks Upgrade As Demand Rises

Britain struggles with increasing demand on its rails lines, both for commuters and freight. The rail company expects a 30% increase in freight traffic over the next 10 years, and as commuter ridership increases, the company looks for ways to adapt.

" 'There are several ways of dealing with the increase in demand,' the chief executive of the company that runs the British rail network said. 'Some of it can be done through changing timetables or lengthening trains. But if we don't get investment there is a risk, a certainty probably, that we cannot absorb the extra demand and it finds its way on to the roads.' "

"About 1,000 freight trains use the rail system a day, a number that will rise to 1,120 according to Network Rail's forecasts, equivalent to 1m extra lorry journeys. About 12% of all freight traffic in Britain is moved by rail."