Wednesday 1 August 2007

Commuter heaven

Over the past couple of weeks as we have worked our way down the north-east coast, we've been continually meeting up with the main north-eastern rail line between Edinburgh and London.

Today's journey of 24 miles from Alnwick to Lynemouth was no exception. I've passed through Alnmouth station quite a bit on journey's north and south and always loved the view out to sea. It was great today to have more time to appreciate it.

Last night Demo and I were talking to Peter, one of our hosts for the night. He is the chair of the rail users association in Alnwick. They have been fighting for more regular services into Newcastle, and recently they have been improved. Consequently, commuter journey's to Newcastle have increased by 45 per cent, which, as Peter says, does something to reduce carbon emissions. But Peter also said it is far more relaxing, quick and useful to be commuting on a train than in a car.

Trains are another of those areas where a low carbon world would deliver a better quality of life. Whilst it would be expensive to massively upgrade our rail system in the UK, the benefits would be seen in ways in which GDP cannot measure.

No comments: