From the Bristol Evening Post
LET'S ELECTRIFY OUR TRAIN LINE
07:00 - 05 June 2008
Electrification of the Great Western line is a top priority in the Liberal Democrats' bid to overhaul Britain's under-pressure transport network.
The revamp of the busy commuter route, which links Temple Meads with London Paddington, would speed up journey times and allow more services to be run.It would also help meet environmental targets by lowering emissions compared with diesel powered trains.
The cost of the work has been estimated at ú200 million. However, the route is the only main line out of London which is not electrified - except for a stretch between Paddington and Heathrow.
Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, said: "With Labour's 30-year plan for the railways stopping inexplicably in 2014 and no firm proposals from the Conservatives, we are the only party with concrete proposals to build a transport system fit for the 21st century. Motorists and passengers are getting a raw deal under Labour.
"We are turning into cattle truck Britain, with rail services overcrowded and congestion growing on the roads, as any commuter will tell you."
As part of a package of transport measures, the Lib Dems want to increase long-term rail investment by introducing pay-as-you drive schemes and handing control of buses back to local councils.
Drivers of gas-guzzling cars would be hit by road tax of up to ú2,000 a year and the most polluting vehicles would also incur a higher "showroom tax" to curb carbon emissions.
The proposals, which build on transport initiatives announced by the party last summer, come as Prime Minister Gordon Brown is under fire over a retrospective hike in vehicle excise duty expected to hit millions of motorists.
From next year it will cost ú440 for vehicles in the top bracket. The Lib Dems' said their higher rates would only be temporary until the tax was abolished altogether, once they were in power for 10 years.
At that point, fuel duty would be cut and road charging introduced at 8p per km for motorways and trunk roads.
That could rise to around 12p for cars pumping out the most greenhouse gas emissions, with the most efficient vehicles paying nothing.
Mr Baker added: "Motorway and trunk road pricing will cost the average motorist no more but the costs will be honest and up front and rural motorists who have to rely on their cars will save money."
