High Speed Lines

[Zoe]

The Berks & Hants would also be electrified as part of a separate scheme, ideally with TASS installed all the way from Reading to Penzance, but that might not be affordable.

The Berks and Hants itself only goes as far as Cogload Junction, any improvements west of there can be part of the main scheme and will also benefit Cross Country services. If you are going to build a new high speed route to Bristol and improve the GWML between Bristol and Exeter then there is very little benefit in upgrading the Berks and Hants.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

INTERNATIONAL LINES

6) High Speed Seven: Carlisle/Glasgow-Belfast (delta junction near Stranraer)

That would be domestic not international.

 

[LE Greys]

The Berks and Hants itself only goes as far as Cogload Junction, any improvements west of there can be part of the main scheme and will also benefit Cross Country services. If you are going to build a new high speed route to Bristol and improve the GWML between Bristol and Exeter then there is very little benefit in upgrading the Berks and Hants.

Well, yes, that was part of the plan. However, I'm trying not to cut off Newbury and Westbury, plus providing an electrified diversionary route. Depending on the relative merits of speed and traffic patterns, some trains would run via Bristol, some would continue to use the B&H. Even if it's limited to an hourly semi-fast to Exeter, that's better than creating another WoERail. Although come to think of it, diverting some through traffic via Salisbury into Waterloo might be a possibility, however it would depend on double track being reinstated.