Transport secretary Lord Adonis revealed this morning that domestic and European short haul flights should be “progressively replaced” by a high speed rail network which will relieve congestion on existing lines and shorten train journey times across the UK.

In welcoming the government’s announcement RMT said that the drive to high speed rail makes the case for the third runway at Heathrow obsolete and also said that it should give a massive boost to manufacturing industry in the UK as demand for trains, track and equipment grows as a result.

RMT is calling on the government to ensure that a regulated fare’s policy is put in place that encourages the use of the rail and the union has reiterated that the development of the high-speed network should take place within the framework of a publicly owned railway to avoid the continuing fragmentation and failures of the privatised, franchise system.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said:

“We welcome this important announcement on the development of high-speed rail which clearly demolishes the case for the environmental disaster which is the planned third runway at Heathrow. If high-speed rail is the future we should stop throwing time, money and energy at the planned expansion of Heathrow and concentrate on pushing forward this progressive plan for green transport.

“This plan would give a massive boost to manufacturing and green jobs on the railways and should be moved forward without delay. We would argue strongly for public ownership and a for a fares policy which actively encourages rail travel.”

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