German Greens propose high-speed night train from Wales as part of Europe-wide network
The German Greens have proposed a high-speed night train from Wales as part of a Europe-wide network, in a bid to cut down on the use of planes for travel.
The train would run from Holyhead to Paris, primarily as a means of linking Dublin with the rest of the continent.
They said the 250kmh train could be paid for by the European Investment Bank.
As a centrally located country in the EU, Germany needs to take on a leading role in the development of a European night train network, they said.
The proposal is part of the party’s manifesto ahead of the national Bundestag elections on Sunday, 26 September.
Polls project that the party is on course to nearly double its 2017 vote share of 8.4 per cent, and if that comes to pass it could join the next federal government as a coalition partner for either the centre-left Social Democrats or centre-right Christian Democrats.
“Night trains should be attractive to everyone,” the Greens said. “If you are on the road a little longer in a climate-friendly way, you shouldn’t pay extra for it.
“International air traffic is currently given enormous tax preferential treatment: Airlines do not pay any mineral oil tax on aviation kerosene and international flight tickets are even exempt from sales tax. These distortions of competition must urgently be corrected.
“We need cheap tickets that can compete with airfare. With suitable offers for every budget, it is possible to make night trains attractively priced.”
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Should be good to get XR a lot of track they can glue themselves to to stop it.
Why would XR oppose this? It is a far more environmentally sustainable idea than air travel which it could help to reduce.
I know something more worthwhile that needs gluing. 🤐
I’ve seen some really stupid comments from right-wing nut jobs on this site but this has got to be one of the most stupid. But then again, critical thinking was never a strong point for right-wing nut jobs.
Scottish line goes via Birmingham. Therefore, the Welsh line should go via Caerdydd. So, Wales can propose either a western or eastern link down to Caerdydd. Llandudno or Wrecsam. The western link could provide initiative for a “City Clwyd”, from Prestatyn to Conwy. The idea is to attract Welsh people from ugly former industrial areas. There are beaches, and mountains. This could go ahead even if the Wrexham link is used. EU funds and engineering would be available. In case of insistence on using Wales just as a bridge, we simply fold our arms, look at the passing clouds, and… Read more »
What’ll it run on? Lettuce leaves and moonbeams?
Electric
Even less likely than lettuce leaves and not as green!
I’ll get me coat…
What on earth are you on about have you taken drugs today?
…which has to be generated.
Ever heard of renewables? Or, failing that, nuclear?
Nuclear’ll go down well with the German Greens and you’re trusting wind to generate power to run it? Best of luck with it.
I’ve heard HS2 will be run on Tory bullship. They’ve taking it for years. We in Wales know oh so well.
The Cardiff lot won’t like this. Something us gogs could have that they don’t.
A bit like HS2.helps North Wales but not them.
Time you started supporting Wales rather than brown-nosing England. To pop your brown bubble. A rail expert has stated HS2 will not. And I’ll repeat it again. Will not benefit Wales. And that’s North South East & West. In fact, HS2 will damage Wales and we’ll be paying through the noses for it for years to come as a result. Also, there’s no fiscal consequential as Whitehall put it as an England & Wales infrastructure build. See, Rail Infrastructure is not devolved to Wales as it is Scotland & NI, meaning only they received millions into their coffers. Wales got… Read more »
HS2 will increase capacity in the Birmingham area and the North wales coast line. So yes it will benefit us up here in the “North of Wales”. Prehaps the experts you cited only think of Wales as the line to Cardiff? Properly thought the most Northenly line was Merthy.
No, im not brown nosing anybody, I’m supporting the Nation of North Wales! We don’t need the national assembly for Cardiff.
Anything that’s bad for South wales will usually be good For us Gogs. The reverse is so true.
Rail insight. Llandudno 2015. (Maybe some people in the “North of wales” know more about their own service that someone in Cardiff. Supprise. “significantly improved connectivity for North Wales potentially as soon as 2027. The HS2 Plus report complied by David Higgins presents the possibility of using unallocated paths on HS2 for classic compatible services to Chester and North Wales, potentially bringing the entire region within two hours travel time from London. Dispersing and maximising the benefits of HS2 across the region will rely on integration with the existing network. This could not be achieved without electrification. The final report… Read more »
I’m not towing the English line but you can’t say something that helps infrastructure in England, doesn’t help wsh people. Most people in North Wales traveling out of Wales on a train are not going to South wales but either to Manchester Airport or London.
“HS2 will have benefits for Wales even though it is England, says minister | North Wales Chronicle” https://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/national/19582141.hs2-will-benefits-wales-even-though-england-says-minister/
Please show me a report which states that HS2 won’t help North wales. Lots of reports stating it won’t help (South wales) but nothing to directly say it won’t help North wales.
I challenge you to find a negative report on HS2 that directly relates to North Wales and North Wales only.
All the European capital cities are on this map, But except for our capital city: CARDIFF. European railways should provide a link from CARDIFF to London, Paris & Brussels in one direction and to Swansea, Fishguard and Southern Ireland in the other. Even Moscow, St Petersburg and Kiev are on the map. Since it will be joint funded in Europe proves that Europe and the EU would be the netter union for Wales. Since the UK has left the EU there is no reason why Wales should not leave the UK and join the EU as an independent state. The… Read more »
‘There’s no reason why Wales should not leave the UK and join the EU’
Didn’t you notice the Wales Brexit result? I think there’d be a little bit of opposition to that idea.
Oh, the bit about about the EU being a very devolved union of independent states.. Ask the Catalan people what they think of that statement.