The Strategic Rail Authority’s blueprint for reforming Britain’s railways could provide opportunities for the property industry.
The 116-page report, released yesterday, proposes to restore private investor confidence in the railways. The SRA wants property developments to help pay for station improvements.
Property industry observers said that any improvement to the railway network would have a knock-on effect on land values. Major regional towns and cities would be boosted by improved infrastructure.
The document states that improvements, including speeding up journey times and doubling passenger capacity, would benefit “major regional centres such as Birmingham Liverpool, Derby, Bristol and Plymouth”.
New lines and stations, including the Vale of Glamorgan Line and the Edinburgh Crossrail, as well as extensions to Thameslink and Orbirail, would also help kickstart regeneration in Wales, Scotland and east London, according to the SRA.
The document also states that the SRA will uphold all of Railtrack’s “existing commitments and continuing programmes”, such as its property development partnerships across the country.
EGi News 15/01/02
