Fascinating talk on future of our railways

More than 100 people came from far and wide: Oxford, London, Hinckley, Birmingham, to hear Adrian Shooter (CEO of Chiltern Rail, director of Deutsche Bahn) talk about HS2, a project which has substantial local opposition.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th Nov 2011, 08:39 BST

It was an excellent evening with a very impressive presentation by Adrian of the reason why all political parties are agreed on the need for a new line: overcrowding on road and rail; greatly increased demand for rail travel; the big inequality of income and prospects between the North and the South-East.

He explained why upgrading of existing lines is not a long-term option and compared the lack-lustre British rail policy with our European neighbours’ and competitors’. His handling of what could have been a very tricky question-time after his talk was an excellent demonstration of why he has risen to be such a competent and well respected personality in the corridors of power. Everyone was impressed and the talk raised £500 for Friends of Leamington Station. All of us are indebted to him for improvements in our rail service and wish him well in his retirement. - Marianne Pitts, Friends of Leamington Station.